Iraq government backs Barack Obama's troop withdrawal pledge

[EV_Ares]

Government spokesman ends confusion over Iraqi PM's comments on presidential candidate's timetable


Barack Obama's campaign for the US presidency received another boost today when the Iraqi government welcomed him to Baghdad by again appearing to back his timetable for withdrawing troops from the country.

The Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh expressed hopes that combat forces could leave by 2010 – in line with Obama's pledge to withdraw troops within 16 months of the US election.

"We are hoping that in 2010 that combat troops will withdraw from Iraq," Dabbagh told reporters, noting that any withdrawal plan was subject to change if the level of violence rises again.

The statement comes after talks between Obama and the prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, and a weekend when the Iraqi government unconvincingly tried to clarify its position on troop withdrawals.

In an interview published on Saturday with the German paper Der Spiegel, Maliki backed Obama's timetable.

"Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal," he was quoted as saying.

Link for rest of the article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jul/21/barackobama.iraq

[Hope And Change]

1. K & R!

[Thrill]

2. Yeah Obama looks like he convinced them!!

[uponit7771]

3. McNasty Campaign = over

[Imagevision]

4. Other world leaders agree with Obama, but not fellow US. colleagues...