NYT: Top Iraqi’s White House Visit Shows Widening Gaps With U.S.

[DeepModem Mom]

Top Iraqi’s White House Visit Shows Gaps With U.S.
By EDWARD WONG
Published: July 25, 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 24 — When Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki visits the White House on Tuesday for the first time, he is expected to make requests that clash sharply with President Bush’s foreign policy, Iraqi officials say, signaling a widening gap between the Iraqis and the Americans on crucial issues.

The requests will include asking President Bush to allow American-led troops in Iraq to be tried under Iraqi law, and to call for a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon, according to several Iraqi politicians, and to a senior member of Mr. Maliki’s party who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak for the prime minister.

Mr. Maliki is also expected to demand more autonomy for Iraqi forces, though he will not ask for a quick withdrawal of the 134,000 American troops here, the officials say.

The growing differences between Iraqi and American policies reflect an increasing disenchantment with American power among politicians and Iraqis, according to several politicians, academics and clerics. Sectarian violence has soared despite the presence of the Americans, and recent cases where American troops have been accused of killing civilians or raping Iraqi women have infuriated the public.

Mr. Maliki and other top Shiite leaders also want to maintain strong ties to Iran, whose influence is rising across the Middle East, officials say....

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/25/world/middleeast/25maliki.html?hp&ex=1153800000&en=6bf00e418a4a7404&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Cooley Hurd]

1. kick and recommend...

Some call Bush the anti-Christ. I think "anti-Midas" is more fitting (everything he's touched has turned to shit).


An abject, abysmal failure.

[tanyev]

2. I like to call it The Fecal Touch.

[rodeodance]

3. AP al-Maliki said. "Civil war will not happen to Iraq."

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BUSH_IRAQ?SITE=WIFON&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2006-07-25-06-56-10


Jul 25, 6:56 AM EDT

Bush to Meet With Iraqi Prime Minister

By ANNE GEARAN
AP Diplomatic Writer




WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush retains confidence in Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki despite the failure of the Shiite politician's signature effort to improve security in Iraq's bloody capital, the White House said as Bush prepared to host the new leader.

.............

Lebanon also was on al-Maliki's mind. In London on Monday, he said he feared the possible broader consequences of the two-week-old Israeli-Hezbollah fighting.

"I am afraid that what's going on in Lebanon will be a great push towards fundamentalism," al-Maliki said during a news conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The fighting has killed nearly 400, most of them Lebanese civilians.

Al-Maliki also told BBC radio that Iraq would not collapse into civil war.

"There is a sectarian issue, but the political leaders ... are working on putting an end to" it, al-Maliki said. "Civil war will not happen to Iraq." He confirmed U.N. data showing an average of 100 civilians a day were killed in May and June.

[rodeodance]

4. "disenchantment with American power among politicians and Iraqis,"

[rodeodance]

5. Maliki. Shiite leaders also want to maintain strong ties with IraN.

[pberq]

6. Kick & Nominated

[leesa]

7. You mean he's not gonna show up unannounced and surprise the Prez?

I thought al-Maliki looked really offended when Bush did his little PR act. Who wouldn't be...it must have been a nightmare to contend with.

I guess it's time to overthrow this government. They're getting a little too democratized.

[chill_wind]

8. And HOW DARE he condemn Israel's actions. House Dems ALARMED!!

They are running to Hastert. They are shocked. SHOCKED I tell you.

:sarcasm:

Reuters: Democrats blast Maliki on Israel statements



WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congressional Democrats voiced alarm on Tuesday over
Iraq's denunciation of Israel in the Mideast conflict, and some said Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's upcoming address to Congress should be canceled unless he apologizes.

A group of House of Representatives Democrats was circulating a letter to House Speaker Dennis Hastert urging the Illinois Republican to secure an apology from Maliki or cancel the address on Wednesday to a joint meeting of Congress.


more:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060725/pl_nm/iraq_maliki_congress_dc;_ylt=Ar_JOIDIIsPHiP4hUznNU2Eb.3QA;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NGRzMjRtBHNlYwMxNjk5