Iraq officials to push for U.S. support

[rodeodance]

Source: ap



Iraq officials to push for U.S. support

By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer 58 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Worried Congress' support for
Iraq is deteriorating rapidly, Baghdad dispatched senior officials to Capitol Hill this week to warn members one-on-one that pulling out U.S. troops would have disastrous consequences.


The lobbying push targeted Republicans and Democrats alike, but focused primarily on those considered influential on the war debate. On Thursday, hours before the House voted to limit funds for the war, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh met with more than 30 House Republicans and more than a half-dozen senators, including Sens. Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., John Warner (news, bio, voting record), R-Va., and
Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.

"He understands that American patience is waning," said Sen. Norm Coleman (news, bio, voting record), after eating lunch with Saleh, Iraqi Ambassador Samir Shakir al-Sumaidaie and Sen. Saxby Chambliss (news, bio, voting record).

Baghdad's ability to sell members like Coleman, R-Minn., and Chambliss, R-Ga., on the war effort is critical if the Iraqi government wants U.S. troops to stay. Coleman in recent months has become deeply skeptical of the president's decision to send additional troops to Iraq and says patience on the war in general is limited.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070511/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq;_ylt=AsaJlLVrx99tJt2YaKoovRas0NUE

[acmavm]

1. The puppet government officials want to stay alive. And continue to

be able to make skim outrageous sums of money off what the taxpayers are being forced to cough up.

But as for being a fair, democratic, secular, and moral government, forget it. It's not going to happen, at least not with this bunch.

[Tempest]

2. They'll run for London as soon as the oil bill is signed

And get their cut.