Kerry Presses Bush Clarity from Maliki on Hezbollah, Iran, Iraq

[kerrygoddess]

Kerry Presses Bush Administration for Clarity from Maliki on Hezbollah, Iran, Situation in Iraq
July 25th, 2006 @ 9:37 am

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki will be visiting the White House today for the first time and is then slated to address Congress tomorrow. The NY Times reports that he is “expected to make requests that clash sharply with President Bush’s foreign policy,” which Iraqi officials say signal a “widening gap between the Iraqis and the Americans on crucial issues.”

The growing differences between Iraqi and American policies reflect an increasing disenchantment with American power among politicians and ordinary Iraqis, according to several politicians, academics and clerics. Sectarian violence has soared despite the presence of the Americans, and recent cases where American troops have been accused of killing civilians or raping Iraqi women have infuriated the public.

Mr. Maliki and other top Shiite leaders also want to maintain strong ties to Iran, whose influence is rising across the Middle East, officials say.

John Kerry sent a letter to Bush this morning, asking that when Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki addresses Congress tomorrow, the Prime Minister be clear and candid about realities on the ground in Iraq and that he strongly condemn the use of terror anywhere in the world -– including by Hezbollah against Israel. In a nutshell, Kerry’s message to the Bush administration and Maliki is — “Do something outrageous — Tell the truth.”

The following is the text of John Kerry’s letter to Bush:

{snip}

Dear Mr. President:

As you know, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will be addressing a Joint Session of Congress tomorrow. I write in hopes that you will encourage Prime Minister Maliki to use this as an opportunity to address some important issues that are on the minds of many Americans.

Members of Congress strongly support Prime Minister Maliki in his efforts to end the sectarian violence and bring stability to Iraq, and we share his hope for a better future for his country. I believe that addressing the following issues will only help to build confidence in his government as they embark on the difficult tasks ahead.

MORE & LINKS - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3707

[kerrygoddess]

1. John Kerry on Prime Minister Maliki’s Failure to Condemn Hezbollah

John Kerry on Prime Minister Maliki’s Failure to Condemn Hezbollah
July 25th, 2006 @ 1:48 pm

Democrats criticized Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki for failing to condemn Hezbollah’s actions against Israel, during the press conference with Bush today.



Earlier this morning, Kerry sent a letter to President Bush saying that when Maliki addresses Congress tomorrow, the Prime Minister must strongly condemn the use of terror anywhere in the world – including by Hezbollah against Israel. Below is a statement from Senator John Kerry on Maliki’s failure to condemn Hezbollah:

“Prime Minister Maliki missed an important opportunity to state his position on Hezbollah, and instead left the impression that he does not oppose this terrorist organization’s outrageous attacks on Israel. Silence in the face of terrorism is unacceptable, whether it’s in America or in Iraq.

“American soldiers have made tremendous sacrifices in Iraq, and the American people have every right to expect that the new government will speak candidly and truthfully about terror wherever it arises.

“Prime Minister Maliki has an obligation to unequivocally condemn Hezbollah’s terrorist attacks on Israel and clearly state his commitment to seeing this terrorist organization disarmed once and for all.”

From the transcript of the White House press conference today:

MORE & LINKS - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=3708