Democrats blast Maliki on Israel statements

[tocqueville]

Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:19am ET

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.

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

Iraq's U.S.-backed government on Saturday denounced Israel's "criminal" raids on Lebanon and Gaza and warned that violence could escalate across the Middle East.

Senate Democrats in a letter to Maliki said his failure to condemn Hizbollah's "aggression and recognize Israel's right to defend itself raise serious questions about whether Iraq under your leadership can play a constructive role in resolving the current crisis and bringing stability to the Middle East."

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=politicsnews&storyID=2006-07-25T151913Z_01_N25297455_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-MALIKI-CONGRESS.xml&src=072506_1120_TOPSTORY_bush%2C_maliki_meet_press

[Jacobin]

1. AIPAC money talks. The rest walk

[HongKonger]

4. Ditto

*sigh*

[earthside]

12. Cravenly political.

Out here in real America, this move by these Congressional Democrats is seen as cravenly political. Period.

See what a twist these 'inside-the-beltway' types get themselves into just for the sake of finding a war they can love?

The establishment Democrats are joining the most radical, Christofascist Republicans in wanting to stifle someone's speech because they don't like what they might hear? And why? To score some cheap political points.

It makes me feel dirty just thinking about this story.

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. *sigh*

:banghead:

[ixion]

3. ditto... *sigh*

:banghead:

[ShortnFiery]

5. Well, let's see? Oh, the majority of the population is Shiite ...

Dumbass Congress! Both Republican and Democrat do not take the time to educate themselves on this issue NOR spend one moment considering how those with different backgrounds would view this crisis. Dumbass Congress! :(

[Cocoa]

6. the dems can't pass on this obvious opportunity

how can the GOP answer this? :rofl:

[RethugAssKicker]

7. I see the Dems are learning well from their Rethug Masters

[Dhalgren]

8. I just became and "Independent"...

I have been struggling with my (former) Party's stand on this conflict and this is the final straw...

[MuseRider]

15. Welcome

If I had not become unaffiliated after Alito this would do it. Stinks and hurts but there it is.

[Dhalgren]

16. Thanks, MuseRider. Now, let's make trouble!

[no_hypocrisy]

9. Republicans in a bind: denounce Maliki or continue to support

the nascent, fledgling "democracy" of Iraq. The lady or the tiger?

[confludemocrat]

10. Cong. Dems demanding apologies? for speaking about true criminality?

Something they won't do either in regards to Iraq or Israel. Goddamn, they are disgusting, knocking themselves over to get to saying it even before the Repubs dare say it. Weep for this nations government.

[orwell]

11. I guess the polling came in...

...and "outrage" was considered safe in most districts.

[BillZBubb]

13. Which Democrats? How many?

The article isn't very specific. If it's just a few back benchers, then big deal.

If it's the Dem leadership, then I am not amused.

[KoKo]

14. Names....as usual, left out... n/t

[tocqueville]

18. Pelosi, Reid among others

what I read somewhere, lost link...

[charlie]

19. Reid, Durbin, and Shumer are signatories

for the letter. I don't know who else's name will be attached.

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

Recent press accounts indicate that you forcefully denounced Israel's actions in Lebanon, saying, "I condemn these aggressions...(and) call on the world to take quick stands to stop the Israeli aggression." These same reports also indicate that you failed to denounce Hezbollah's role in precipitating the current crisis by undertaking acts of terror against Israeli troops and citizens, as it has against Americans in the past.

Your statements are very troubling. Your failure to condemn Hezbollah's aggression and recognize Israel's right to defend itself raise serious questions about whether Iraq under your leadership can play a constructive role in resolving the current crisis and bringing stability to the Middle East.

In advance of your scheduled appearance before a Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday, we believe it is essential that you clarify your position with respect to Hezbollah and its provocative incursions into Israel. Specifically, it is imperative that the U.S. Congress and the world know immediately whether you support or condemn Hezbollah's acts of terrorism.

As you know, the American people have given so much in the name of fighting global terror and helping build a better future for the people of Iraq. In that effort, over 2,500 Americans have lost their lives in Iraq, over 18,000 have been wounded, and over $300 billion in taxpayer funds have been expended. Americans deserve to know whether Iraq is an ally in these fights.

Sincerely,

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid

Assistant Democratic Leader Richard Durbin

Senator Charles Schumer

[KoKo]

21. I just read over at MSNBC that Rahm Emmauel got into it with Hastert

...so I guess he was backing it too. What about diplomacy and not commenting until some negotiation was started? It sounds like they are taking sides and how do you negotiate when you have already given away your position of support? :shrug:

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

17. I guess we need a new puppet in Iraq

Somewhere, this one got the crazy idea that democratically elected officials should express the opinion of the people they represent.

[Clarkie1]

20. I really don't think an issue should be made of this.

I don't think it's helpful for Democrats to be highlighing these differences of opinion; it doesn't help us at all.

Sometimes is good to hold one's tongue.