Iraqi Prime Minister: idk my new bff Obama?
Maliki endorses Obama’s plan for withdrawal from Iraq.
Today, Der Spiegel reports that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has endorsed a 16-month timetable for the United States to withdraw from Iraq:
In an interview with Der Spiegel released on Saturday, Maliki said he wanted U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible.
“U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes.” […]
Asked if he supported Obama’s ideas more than those of John McCain, Republican presidential hopeful, Maliki said he did not want to recommend who people should vote for.
Whoever is thinking about the shorter term is closer to reality. Artificially extending the stay of U.S. troops would cause problems. […]
“The Americans have found it difficult to agree on a concrete timetable for the exit because it seems like an admission of defeat to them. But it isn’t,” Maliki told Der Spiegel.
Not only is the plan now accepted by Iraqis, but as a Center for American Progress report explains, it is also logistically workable - despite what reporters such as ABC’s Martha Raddatz have suggested. Maliki’s comments come as Obama begins his trip in the Middle East, which will include Iraq. Full interview with Maliki here. (HT: Democracy Arsenal)
Anyone know if McCain has issued a spin response to this yet???
OBAMA CAMPAIGN RESPONSE: Susan Rice, Obama's senior national security adviser, has put out a statement in response to Maliki's comments: "Senator Obama welcomes Prime Minister Maliki's support for a 16 month timeline for the redeployment of U.S combat brigades. This presents an important opportunity to transition to Iraqi responsibility, while restoring our military and increasing our commitment to finish the fight in Afghanistan."
FANCY NANCY RESPONDS @ Net Roots convention: Pelosi responds to a question about Maliki’s comments this morning endorsing Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-IL) plan for withdrawal from Iraq:
On the one hand, the administration is saying that everything is great, security has been achieved in Iraq. On the other hand, we can’t bring our troops home. How does that makes sense? […]
So with the prime minister saying it’s time for you to go, I think it’s time for our country to sit down with the Iraqis and work that plan out. [We need to be] respectful of what the prime minister says, and respectful of the will of the American people, who have been against this war for a long time. … And we owe it to our troops who are there, and we owe them so much more as we discussed early. … [We should] have a high-level meting with the Iraqis to work out the terms of our deployment out of iraq. … So, the end could be in sight
SOURCE
Today, Der Spiegel reports that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has endorsed a 16-month timetable for the United States to withdraw from Iraq:
In an interview with Der Spiegel released on Saturday, Maliki said he wanted U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible.
“U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes.” […]
Asked if he supported Obama’s ideas more than those of John McCain, Republican presidential hopeful, Maliki said he did not want to recommend who people should vote for.
Whoever is thinking about the shorter term is closer to reality. Artificially extending the stay of U.S. troops would cause problems. […]
“The Americans have found it difficult to agree on a concrete timetable for the exit because it seems like an admission of defeat to them. But it isn’t,” Maliki told Der Spiegel.
Not only is the plan now accepted by Iraqis, but as a Center for American Progress report explains, it is also logistically workable - despite what reporters such as ABC’s Martha Raddatz have suggested. Maliki’s comments come as Obama begins his trip in the Middle East, which will include Iraq. Full interview with Maliki here. (HT: Democracy Arsenal)
Anyone know if McCain has issued a spin response to this yet???
OBAMA CAMPAIGN RESPONSE: Susan Rice, Obama's senior national security adviser, has put out a statement in response to Maliki's comments: "Senator Obama welcomes Prime Minister Maliki's support for a 16 month timeline for the redeployment of U.S combat brigades. This presents an important opportunity to transition to Iraqi responsibility, while restoring our military and increasing our commitment to finish the fight in Afghanistan."
FANCY NANCY RESPONDS @ Net Roots convention: Pelosi responds to a question about Maliki’s comments this morning endorsing Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-IL) plan for withdrawal from Iraq:
On the one hand, the administration is saying that everything is great, security has been achieved in Iraq. On the other hand, we can’t bring our troops home. How does that makes sense? […]
So with the prime minister saying it’s time for you to go, I think it’s time for our country to sit down with the Iraqis and work that plan out. [We need to be] respectful of what the prime minister says, and respectful of the will of the American people, who have been against this war for a long time. … And we owe it to our troops who are there, and we owe them so much more as we discussed early. … [We should] have a high-level meting with the Iraqis to work out the terms of our deployment out of iraq. … So, the end could be in sight
SOURCE