Bush, Maliki discuss 'time-frame' for Iraq security transfer

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

BAGHDAD (AFP) - US President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki have discussed a time-frame to transfer security from US forces to Iraqi troops and so be able to cut the number of American forces, the government spokesman said on Friday.

The two leaders talked on Thursday evening via secured video link and discussed the growing abilities of Iraqi troops in managing security in the country, Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement.

"They focused on having a time-frame for the complete transfer of security responsibility into the hands of the Iraqi forces in order to decrease the number of American forces in Iraq and later withdraw them," Dabbagh said.

He said the two leaders vowed to work on "increasing the ability of Iraqi forces to improve the security situation on the ground so as to achieve this goal (US withdrawal from Iraq)."



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080718/pl_afp/iraqunrestbushmaliki_080718145208

[islandmkl]

1. about late October by my guess....

[SpiralHawk]

2. "Get outa here, you oil-profits crusading Republicons, you." - Maliki to Commander AWOL

[NewJeffCT]

3. but, that's appeasement!

and we don't do that.

[DS1]

4. Won't someone think of the McCains?

[helderheid]

5. More:

U.S., Iraq seek troop withdrawal 'time horizon'
Withdrawals would be one of several 'aspirational goals,' White House says

BREAKING NEWS
MSNBC News Services
updated 5 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The United States and Iraq called for agreement on a "general time horizon" for American troop withdrawals Friday.

President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said the timing of troop reductions should be part of a broader security agreement being negotiated between Washington and Baghdad, according to the White House.

Troop withdrawals would be one of several "aspirational goals" and would be based on continued improvements on the ground in Iraq, the White House said.

"Improving conditions should allow for the agreements now under negotiation to include a general time horizon for meeting aspirational goals — such as the resumption of Iraqi security control in their cities and provinces and the further reduction of U.S. combat forces from Iraq," the statement said.

Please check back for updates on this breaking news story.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25736448

[boomerbust]

6. The no bid oil contracts

are the only bargaing chips the Corporate Cowboy has left.

[gateley]

7. BREAKING NEWS: U.S. and Iraq call for deal on 'general time horizon' for American troop withdrawals

Source: msnbc.com

BREAKING NEWS: U.S. and Iraq call for deal on 'general time horizon' for American troop withdrawals

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

---

No story yet - just the banner on msnbc.com

[corporatemedia]

11. LINK at Reuters

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN1840745220080718

"In the area of security cooperation, the president and the prime minister agreed that improving conditions should allow for the agreements now under negotiation to include a general time horizon for meeting aspirational goals -- such as the resumption of Iraqi security control in their cities and provinces and the further reduction of U.S. combat forces from Iraq," the White House said."

[awoke_in_2003]

13. horizon

interesting word. Ever notice that when walking toward the horizon, it never gets closer?

[corporatemedia]

19. A time line to infinity and beyond! n/t

[corporatemedia]

12. By definition, "horizon" = "a line..." Therefore, "time horizon" = TIME LINE........LOL n/t

[THale2]

8. There is something fishy

going on,,,why all of a sudden is the whitehouse alligning with Obama positions

[thecrow]

9. Has Jenna gotten through to the Smirk?

Maybe Laura's voting for Obama?

heh heh

[cstanleytech]

10. Gee, could it be in reality an attempt to aid the McCain campaign by declaring

the war in Iraq officially over just before the elections, hmmmmm.

[ohio2007]

14. Iraqi troops put on show of strength in Sadr City

Iraqi soldiers took up positions on rooftops and military helicopters hovered overhead Friday in a show of strength in a Baghdad district where Shiite militiamen once ruled the streets. There were no reports of violence.

The heavy deployment in Sadr City coincided with Friday prayers held by followers of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who often use the occasion to criticize the American-backed government.

Thousands of worshippers gathered to hear a sermon by Sheik Mohanned al-Mousawi, an al-Sadr ally who complained about arrests of the cleric's supporters by U.S.-backed Iraqi forces. But al-Mousawi urged restraint in keeping with a truce that ended fighting in Sadr City in May after a crackdown by the Iraqi military.

"We call on all brothers to be up to the responsibility and be committed to our leader's orders," al-Mousawi said.

Al-Sadr has lived in Iran for more than a year, deepening the uncertainty over the future of his militia, the Mahdi Army.


snip

Iraqi officials, in a sign of growing confidence as violence decreases, have pressed the United States to agree to a specific timeline to withdraw U.S. forces. President Bush has opposed a timeline, and the White House said the timeframe being discussed would not be "an arbitrary date for withdrawal."


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/07/17/international/i081145D00.DTL&feed=rss.news

govt of Iraq has a foothold in mookies slum and his promising more then the absentee landlord will ever deliver.
If anybody can identify troublemaker elements in Iraq, it can only be the Iraqis job to do it best.
They do have an october election still on the timeline.
They don't need our help much longer.
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11750386

[gratuitous]

15. It's NOT a timeline, so stop saying that!

My guess is that Bush is trying his best (yeah, right) to defuse Iraq as a campaign issue for November. Remember last week, when everybody and his brother was saying that Obama was flip-flopping as he described his unchanged plan to get the U.S. out of Iraq? Well, here's Bush, eagerly abetted by McThuselah, trying to set up a timeline and a structure for withdrawal that looks one hell of a lot like Obama's announced plan.

But the slumbering bulldogs of the Fourth Estate are far too well-mannered to mention such a thing, and surely none of them will ask Bush or McCain about it, lest they appear to be oh-so-gauche.

[hootinholler]

16. Bush, Maliki Agree on 'Time Horizon' for U.S. Troop Withdrawals

Source: Washington Post

By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 18, 2008; 3:22 PM

TUCSON, July 18 -- President Bush and Iraq's prime minister have agreed to set a "time horizon" for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq as security conditions in the war-ravaged nation continue to improve, White House officials said here Friday.

The agreement, reached during a video conference Thursday between Bush and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, marks a dramatic shift for the Bush administration, which for years has condemned any talk of timetables for withdrawal.

But Maliki and other Iraqi leaders in recent weeks have begun demanding firm withdrawal deadlines from the United States. Bush said earlier this week that he opposes "arbitrary" timetables but was open to setting an "aspirational goal" for moving U.S. troops to a support role.

While Bush was traveling here for a GOP fundraiser, the White House issued a statement announcing the agreement.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/18/AR2008071801308.html?hpid=topnews

---

More...

:rofl:

Um, won't this make our troops in more danger?

-Hoot

[sinkingfeeling]

17. 'Time horizon' - I just love the 'new' English.

[Lorentz]

18. That's because Iraq is like a black hole for our troops. Once they go in they never come out.

Seems only appropriate that it should have a horizon.

[bluesmail]

20. Speaker Pelosi calling Bush an utter failure. The Whistleblower

for the 2002 election speaks. Bloch's underling quits in protest. Whistleblower in hiding who copied the names of UBS USA clients. These are all recent revelations. My Guess? They're feeling surrounded. The 'good' guys aren't going to let the 'bad' guys get away with another stolen election. Not to mention, all those countless crimes. Rep Conyers made a statement that there were 1000's of crimes.

[AzDar]

21. Getting 'em out before the Iran attack is launched?

Strange....I never USED to be this cynical.;-)

[llmart]

22. flip-flop, flip-flop,....

Where are the swiftboaters to call him on his flip-flops?