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US, Iraq discuss way forward
28/10/2006 22:36 - (SA)
Washington - President George W Bush on Saturday sought to repair tensions with Iraq's prime minister, and the White House asserted that Nouri al-Maliki is not "America's man in Iraq" but a sovereign leader whom the US is aiding.
Ten days before the November 7 congressional elections in which the unpopular war in Iraq is a top issue, Bush and al-Maliki played down a feud over a US plan for benchmarks for reducing violence.
The dispute has thrown the White House on the defensive and undermined Bush's attempt to put a new face on his much-criticized Iraq strategy.
For 50 minutes, Bush and al-Maliki talked by video conference to find common ground. Al-Maliki demanded the talk, according to a close aide, because US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad was "no L Paul Bremer" - the former administrator of the US-led occupation - who could make decisions on his own. The White House issued a statement summarising the talks.
The leaders said they were "committed to the partnership" and would work "in every way possible for a stable, democratic Iraq and for victory in the war on terror".
Strategy aligned
"On the overall strategy for proceeding, the two countries are entirely aligned," White House press secretary Tony Snow told reporters.
Bush and al-Maliki outlined three goals: speeding up the training of Iraq's security forces; moving ahead with Iraqi control of its forces; and making the Iraqi government responsible for the country's security.
A special group of high-level Iraqi ministers will work with the top US commander in Iraq, General George Casey, and Khalilzad to recommend how best to achieve those goals.
"As leaders of two great countries, we are committed to the security and prosperity of a democratic Iraq and the global fight against terrorism which affects all our citizens," according to their joint statement.
- AP
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