Iraq PM’s comments under fire

[norml]

Iraq PM’s comments under fire

By Josephine Hearn

Several Democrats are planning to boycott Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s address to Congress today unless he apologizes for anti-Israel comments he and other Iraqi officials have made in recent weeks.

Calling the remarks “shocking,” “abhorrent” and “offensive in the extreme,” 20 House Democrats yesterday asked House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) to call off today’s 11 a.m. address to a joint session of Congress until al-Maliki expresses regret.

“It is clear that foreign policy goals are at odds with those of the United States. The Speaker’s podium reflects our nation’s values,” the Democrats wrote Hastert. Although Democrats had no organized effort to boycott the speech, several, including Reps. Nita Lowey (N.Y.) and Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), vowed not to attend the event unless al-Maliki backs away from the statements.

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Al-Maliki last week denounced Israel’s retaliation against Hezbollah in Lebanon, calling on Arab countries to “take quick action to stop the Israeli aggression.”

The Iraqi parliament called Israel’s actions “criminal aggression” and voted unanimously to condemn them. Iraqi parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani said July 7 that “a Jew and the son of a Jew” were those responsible for acts of violence in Iraq.


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http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/072606/news3.html

[Behind the Aegis]

1. Good for the Democrats.

[Erika]

2. The democrats are challenging the GOP having it both ways

The GOP honors an Iraqi prime minister who puts down Israel?

Wouldn't it be nice to have a real president in charge again?

W and the GOP have turned our government into a total screw up.

[IndianaGreen]

4. They should have thought of it when they called for Saddam being toppled

Now we are all stuck with a Shia Islamic Republic under the influence of Iran.

America's attempts to reshape the Middle East will end up with blowback!

[IndianaGreen]

3. Al-Maliki is a Shia. Israel is slaughtering the Shia in Lebanon

and killing Sunnis, Christians, and Druze in between. What do these Democrats that rubber stamped genocide by their refusal to call for a ceasefire in Lebanon expect?

We need a ceasefire now! The bombing and shelling of Lebanon must stop. The rocket attacks on Israel must cease. The IDF detainees must be returned to their families. The detainees that Israel has been holding must also be returned to their families.

[beam me up scottie]

5. How dare you.

What do you want, peace or something?