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| Iraq |
| 'This is unfair' say Iraqis on US panel threat |
| 2006-12-07 |
| A call for President George W. Bush to reduce US support to Iraq if Baghdad fails to improve security drew a sour response from Iraqi politicians, who said Washington had an obligation to back their government. "The US calls itself an occupying force in Iraq and, according to the Geneva Conventions, if you are an occupier then you are responsible for the country," said parliamentarian Mahmud Othman, a Kurd. Well no, we're no longer an 'occupying' force. We're working in partnership with a sovereign government. That's the real justification for our presence today -- we're invited (we're also the 800 pound gorilla, yes). If you want us to leave, say so. Til then we work with you. That's what you ought to be saying to Mr. Baker -- "the Americans are here because we want and need them here; when that changes they've promised to leave." "They have no right to to do this. This is unfair." Bassim Ridha, a top advisor to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, said the White House has to support Baghdad "all the way". "If they do not support the government then it will look as if they do not do what they preach," Ridha said. "We need their support to go forward." Correct. You need to do your part as well. Disarming Tater (figuratively or literally) would be a good start. The report said Washington must step up action -- including the threatened reduction of political, military and economic support -- to make the Iraqi government improve security. Haidar al-Abadi, a member of Maliki's Dawa party and close associate to the prime minister, said most of the panel's recommendations, including a dialogue with Iran and Syria and increased training for Iraqi security forces, had been expected. But the threat to reduce support was new. "We were told there would not be pressure as such," said Abadi. "In our dialogue with the US administration, we said that we would work together." You can read tea leaves and know that a fair number of Americans back home are growing impatient. You could help us out on this one by solving some of your problems and thus demonstrate progress. Or you could complain and depend on the will of Allan. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #2 The Iraqis can hire Mexicans. They'll do the work Americans (and apparently Iraqis) won't do. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2006-12-07 21:36 |
| #1 "They have no right to to do this. This is unfair." No one said life is fair. Who sat on the sidelines for months, years waiting to see who'd be in charge when the Americans were sorting things out? Who has been wasting time engaged in petty and pathetic positioning of clan and personal interests? Who has been spending their time and effort to get family and clan members into positions to exploit the 'system' in the grand tradition of what the west refers to as corruption and you as the normal conduct of business? Who hasn't displayed the courage to take out assholes like Tater who undermine the tolerance of the Americans to remain around to assist you? Who expects the Americans to do your work forever? [Military and Security] Welfare reform is going to hit you hard and fast. I see two choice. Jump in with both feet and make the best of what you can before the Donks can pull the funding, or make peace with your new masters. Its free will, your choice, your fate. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2006-12-07 09:31 |