Rice joins Rumsfeld on Iraq trip

[leftchick]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4945180.stm


US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Baghdad on an unheralded visit, hours after Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld also arrived there.

They were expected to meet Iraq's new Prime Minister-designate, Nouri Maliki, who is trying to put together a government after months of deadlock.

Ms Rice arrived from Turkey, breaking off from a tour of European nations.

Mr Rumsfeld earlier met US military commanders to discuss the issue of future US troop withdrawals.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Mr Rumsfeld, Gen George Casey, the top US military commander in Iraq, said Iraq's selection of new government leaders was a "major step in the process" to returning US troops home.

[ShortnFiery]

1. I can hardly wait to see the Photo Ops ...

They best be exclusively with the Field Grade and General Officers. ;)

[anakie]

21. I'd like to see the photo

of them both walking through any Baghdad street showing the world how safe the new Iraq has become since the invasion.

[xchrom]

2. the incubus and sucubus invade iraq!

run for the hills!

[Ilsa]

12. You used two of my favorite

words that describe members of bushco. Thanks!

[xchrom]

16. you're welcome -- but really it was easy!

[liberal N proud]

3. So she hops from bu$h's bed to rummys?

[Demeter]

4. It's Probably More Sinister Than That

They need 4 hands to carry all the payoff money. Time to buy some more Iraqi support.

[Divernan]

5. So they have to double team the new prime minister designate?

Imagine having both of those horrors screaming at you at the same time? And Rice "broke off" another trip? So Rumsfeld reported failure to Dick Cheney, who then ordered in Rice to back him up?

When's the last time the US sent both the Secretary of State and the Defense Secretary into a war zone at the same time? Absolutely unheard of and foolish, given the lack of security there.

[arewenotdemo]

23. foolish, given the lack of security?

don't get my hopes up!

[Jacobin]

6. Criminals always return to the scene of the crime

[rodeodance]

7. She calls this a "major step" in bringing the troops home. umm. they

seem to add on major steps every time we turn around.

[CJCRANE]

8. Rice's "surprise visit" was predicted

a few days ago, here on DU.

[bigworld]

10. I think this was a plan by Rummy

to pre-empt Condi's visit. Can't let her have bigger cojoines than Rummy.

[Left Coast Lynn]

9. One way tickets?

We should be so lucky.

[BigDDem]

11. Hmmmm

must be a good shoe sale in Baghdad.

[confludemocrat]

13. If Iraq is central focus of war on terror they should be there 365 days/yr

and not flouncing around "old Europe" as Rice was doing, god know what the fuck for.

[951-Riverside]

18. I thought cavemen in Afghanistan attacked us on 9/11

..so why are we in Iraq?

Perhaps a lurking freep can answer that question.

[zann725]

14. After so many sizeable riots against Rice abroad, she NOW travels w/Rummy

Oh the two of them together should be doubly-endearing.

Who arranges these travel plans/missions of good will? Clearly NOT brain-child, Rove-child.

[superconnected]

15. Man I hope the insurgents read bbc news.

[primavera]

20. Careful, we send people to Gitmo for less

Better avoid riding in any small planes for a while.

[cliss]

17. I have some bad news for Rice and Rumsfailed -

There are photos on Yahoo news, showing R. & R. shaking hands with the new PM, Al-Maliki. They're both smiling! Rumsfailed is beaming with joy! Well, I hate to rain on his parade, but there's something he needs to know about the new Iraqi PM.

He is not a US-puppet. In fact, he's an ally of the outgoing minister, Al-Jaafari who got ousted because the US couldn't deal with him any longer. Britain said, "get him out".

Guess what? Mr. al-Maliki supports Muqtada al-Sadr, who is an arch-enemy to Bush.

It's amazing, the lengths they go to in order to dupe the American public. General Casey says, "Now I can make some decisions" = meaning, things are OK now, so I can start sending home troops. "I'm able to assess the situation on the ground".

It's all just smoke and mirrors...desperation style.

[BlueInPhilly]

19. Good! Let's keep them there! N/T

[leftchick]

22. wolfie called it a "star appearance in Baghdad"!

wtf is wrong with that wanker? :puke: