Maliki has made a direct appeal for Petraeus's removal to Bush

[Imagevision]

July 30, 2007 <snip>
Iraq call to get rid of top general:

LONDON: Relations between the top US general in Iraq and Nouri al-Maliki, the country's Prime Minister, are so bad that the Iraqi leader has made a direct appeal for his removal to George Bush.

Although the US President rejected the call, aides to both men admit that Mr Maliki and General David Petraeus engage in frequent shouting matches, differing in particular over the general's moves to arm Sunni tribesmen to fight al-Qaeda.

One Iraqi source said Mr Maliki had used a video conference with Mr Bush to call for the general's signature strategy to be scrapped. "He told Bush that if Petraeus continues, he would arm Shia militias," the official said. "Bush told Maliki to calm down."

At another meeting with the general, Mr Maliki said: "I can't deal with you any more. I will ask for someone else to replace you."

General Petraeus admitted the relationship was stormy, saying: "We have not pulled punches with each other."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/iraq-call-to-get-rid-of-top-general/2007/07/29/1185647743545.html

And Bush continues to pretend to be taking a hands-off approach to Iraq: "I'm going to wait to see what David has to say." But, as we've seen, Bush cherry-picks the military commanders he listens to just as diligently as he cherry-picked pre-war intel.

[MaineDem]

1. Didn't the US Government say there were no hard feelings?

I'm sure I read that the other day.

Black is white; up is down.... it's ridiculous.

[ixion]

2. yep, they did...

and you're right. It is absolutely ridiculous.

[Schema Thing]

3. What a fucking fiasco...

Apparently, our top general is also our top political official in Iraq.

[acmavm]

4. And he's worthless at both jobs.

[Supersedeas]

5. Billions to Saudis who send 50% of the foreign fighters and directly arming tribeman

Diplomacy which wins the heart and minds?