Lingering in Iraq will be all on Obama . . . Maliki says he's ready for us to leave

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Iraqi PM Trusts His Troops, Not Worried by U.S. Pullout

2009-02-26 - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al- Maliki said on Thursday that he trusts his country's security forces and is not worried by U.S. troops withdrawal.

"We have faith that our armed forces and our security services are capable of protecting the country and consolidate security and stability," Maliki told visiting Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed al-Sabah, according to a statement issued by Maliki's office.

"We have no worries for Iraq if the American troops pull out," Maliki said during a meeting with Sabah.

Maliki's comments came as U.S. President Barack Obama was due to reveal his timeline on Friday for pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq.

Maliki also reassured his guest that Iraq has changed where "no terrorism, no al-Qaida and our country is a significant partner in the region that will never go back to policies of wars and adventures."


http://english.cri.cn/6966/2009/02/26/176s458316.htm

[Renew Deal]

1. He didn't say he's ready for us to leave.

He said he has no worries if we did left. There's a difference.

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2. ha!

. . . not much, but good for you for trying.

He says the forces the president apparently wants to train are 'capable of protecting the country and consolidate security and stability.' That sounds ready to me.

He also says that there's "no terrorism, no al-Qaida".

Obviously the administration and the Pentagon disagree. The Obama plan reportedly will leave as many as 50,000 troops in Iraq to 'train' Iraqis and 'fight terrorism'.

[theoldman]

3. Back when I was in the army it took 90 days to train us ready for war.

Now it takes over six years. I was never in combat but my friends tell me that it takes about 5 minutes to train a guy when the bullets start flying.

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4. most of the 'training' will likely entail accompanying the Iraqis on their raids

I can't believe the muted reaction to this reported Orwellian changing of the definition of the remaining soldiers to conform with the president's campaign promise to remove all 'combat' troops.