Iraq's Prime Minister Says U.S. Forces Must Remain

[cal04]

Says U.S. Forces Must Remain Until Iraqis Can Defend Their Country

The U.S.-led multinational force must stay in Iraq until Iraqi forces are fully prepared to defend the country by themselves, Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said Thursday. Setting of a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces would be a sign of weakness, he said. "The country would be open to increased terrorist activity," he said at the Council on Foreign Relations. Ahead of his White House meeting Friday with President Bush, al-Jaafari said Iraq's insurgency consisted of a "very, very limited minority" of people.

Where once there were 12 to 14 incidents of terrorism a day, the number has fallen, he contended. Yet on Capitol Hill on Thursday, the top U.S. commander in the Middle East said the insurgency is as active as six months ago and that more foreign fighters are flowing in all the time. The prime minister said Iraqi forces are "increasingly taking the lead" in operations and that Iraqis are providing useful information about who the terrorists are and where they are.

U.S. deaths have surpassed 1,700 since the war began in March 2003, and an Associated Press-Ipsos poll this month found just 41 percent of adults supported Bush's handling of the war - the lowest that figure has been. The continuing violence has led some U.S. lawmakers to suggest setting a deadline for the beginning a withdrawal of American forces.

Bush has said that would not be wise and that any U.S. pullback should not be taken until U.S. goals are achieved. During his presentation at the council, al-Jaafari raised his voice in response to a question from a correspondent from the Qatar-based Arabic network Al-Jazeera about Iraq's decision to shut down the network's Baghdad operation. "Why are only the negative aspects of Iraq aired on TV?" al-Jaafari asked, referring to Al-Jazeera. "Iraqis hugely oppose Al-Jazeera." He said the network has yet to make any reference to the mass graves that ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein left behind as a legacy of his decades-long rule. Al-Jaafari later went to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to visit U.S. troops wounded in Iraq.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB48DPRBAE.html

[saigon68]

1. So his sorry Quisling Puppet ass can be protected

If the US leaves Ibrahim al-Jaafari will be on the first plane to Switzerland to enjoy the money he has looted from the US taxpayer.

Ibrahim al-Jaafari wouldn't last 5 nano-seconds, if the Iraqi Resistance got a hold of his stinking carcass.

[MrSlayer]

2. Of course he says that.

That's what he's told to say. It's ridiculous to think anyone would take him seriously.

[Benhurst]

3. 1945 News Flash: Vidkun Quisling says Germans must remain

in Norway.

[IndianaGreen]

4. And we know what happened to poor old Quisling

The hangman's noose!

[Disturbed]

5. Who is paying this puppet?

Iraq is now sovereign? What BS!

[IndianaGreen]

6. What happened to all that cash we sent to Iraq?

I think we know who is paying this puppet, the American taxpayer!

[confludemocrat]

7. Where'd we get this guy? He seems so well trained for Bush game.

Having toed the U.S. line and come to assist in the lying about what's happening there and unable to travel within his own country without U.S. protection, the situation is still untenable for his future. No one has a clear idea whats going on there, just big signs they're getting worse and he has no basis for anything he says. God what a mess.

[LynnTheDem]

15. He's a longtime puppet. Left Iraq in 1980 for Iran. Then UK since 1989.

As for his stated desire for "democracy", he supported the US/UK invasion of Iraq, AGAINST the vast opposition of the people of Iraq.

[confludemocrat]

17. Very wierd: his disdain for shaking hands w/women

Even though he had lived in Europe for so many years, as you inform me (Thanks!). Boy, we can pick 'em.

[daleo]

8. Have you got that American voters?

"The U.S.-led multinational force must stay in Iraq until Iraqi forces are fully prepared to defend the country by themselves..." (the Iraqi Prime Minister says). You have your orders.

[Jack Rabbit]

10. What's this guy's name? Thieu? Ky?

Just wondering.

[Jacobin]

18. Yeah. President Thieu was anxious for American troops to

stay in Viet Nam, too.

Something about puppets not wanting the strings cut....cause then they just collapse lifeless in a heap on the floor....

[FlemingsGhost]

9. Good ... now, sit!

Sta-aaaaaaaaaay ...

[Theduckno2]

11. Gotta love the reference to "multinational forces".

Aren't most of the remaining :sarcasm: members of the Coalition of the Willing expected to draw down their contingents by the end of the year? I vaguely remember a UN security resolution expiring then. I'm off to check on it. :)

[KakistocracyHater]

12. What I'm wondering is: in 1991

after the first Persian Gulf war, Iraq pulled itself together, rebuilt water treatment plants, sewage systems, power plants, roads, etc. Iraq recovered alot more quickly even under sanctions; in Feb 2003, how many Iraqi police officers were there, & where did they all go? An entire nation just does not forget how to police itself overnight. I think US forces & the others-particularly the private militia-are disrupting a lot more than they are helping.

[LynnTheDem]

13. And now that he's lost all credibility with Iraqis in Iraq, for sure US

troops must remain, coz the "prime minister" of Iraq can't leave the Green Zone.

[LynnTheDem]

14. He said number of attacks has FALLEN???! rotflmao!!! 700 LAST MONTH!

700 attacks last month, that's the RECORD since bush attacked Iraq!

He said attacks have FALLEN???! :wow:

Being a bush-puppet is one thing, campaigning for bush's 2004 election, etc; but telling porkies that far out...Jaffy just jumped the shark for good.

[Theduckno2]

16. Maybe Diebold is "counting" the attacks!

Anyway I checked my earlier post at the BBC and it was reported that UN authorization for the current mission in Iraq expires in December 2005. Some Coalition members are leaving or are contemplating it. There may not be much "multi" in the multinational forces staying in Iraq.

[dubyaD40web]

19. "Says U.S. Forces Must Remain Until Iraqis Can Defend Their Country"

Then hurry up and defend your country!