Iraq president endorses US troop presence

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050410/wl_mideast_afp/usiraqtalabani&cid=1514&ncid=1480



"I think we are in great need to have American and other allied forces in Iraq until we will be able to rebuild our military forces," Talabani told the CNN news program Late Edition.


Branding Sadr a "criminal" who should be arrested, Talabani said he opposed setting a timetable for the US military's exit from the country.


On Saturday, tens of thousands of Sadr's followers marched through Baghdad chanting "No, no, USA," in what is believed to be the largest demonstration since US troops entered the country.


The protestors also demanded the establishment of a government based on Islamic law when the new government begins rewriting the country's constitution.

[dArKeR]

1. I'm sure you would and I'm paying $300,000,000,000 to keep you alive

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Very disappointing

Fortunately for Iraqis, it won't be Talabani's call whether or not to demand a timetable for withdrawal of foreign troops.

The real winners of the Iraqi elections ran on a slate whose second point was to demand such a timetable and it is known that 80% of Iraqis want foreign troops out sooner rather than later. We should expect Prime Minister Jafaari to uphold that mandate.

[leftchick]

8. I am glad you responded to this Jack...

I wanted to read your reaction to this. Given the 300,000 plus demonstration yesterday I don't think the troops staying has a chance in hell with the Shiia. I also doubt those protertors were all "al-Sadr followers" either. It is a matter of when not if they leave.

[phusion]

3. Why shouldn't they demand a timeline?

Sounds like a reasonable next step to me.

They should be able to at least give an estimate of how long it takes to train and equip X number of troops (in a safe, unknown location mind you).

The protester's demands don't seem very unreasonable.

[cliss]

4. Of course he does.

Talabani knows his survival depends on the protection of US troops. Since the current government is a US puppet, there won't be any timetables on withdrawal.

We have plans to build 14 military bases there, so it's a "non-starter" to quote Scott McClellan.

[ElectricIron Sweeney]

5. Rejoice, Rejoice, you have no choice!

[NNN0LHI]

6. If the US military wasn't there his head would have been cut off long ago

I can understand why he wants them to stay.

Don

[hector459]

7. But the Iraqi people want the US troops OUT!!!!

Leaders everywhere are so out of touch with their people. How long before THE PEOPLE realize they have the power to change things?

[VegasWolf]

9. Sounds like al Zarqawi knows what he is talking about when he

said that this new president was just a tool of the crusaders.

[Terran1212]

10. Talabani fought for Iran during the War and quickly ran to Saddam after

the Gulf War. In Dilip Hiro's book there's even a picture of Talabani kissing saddam hussein's cheeks while the rest of the kurds were dying in resistance.


Talabani is no Iraqi.

[lockdown]

12. That was before he changed his name from Mujahidani

Totally different person now, honest.

(sorry, sorry)

[confludemocrat]

11. This is just a setup by the Iraqis

They (everyone else in Iraq beside the Kurds) gave in to this guy being president so they could get things moving again toward the theocracy they would install and that will cut this guys throat at the first opportunity. Nice job, Bush, your house of cards is being built, and you will be lamer than lame or out of office when this thing blows.

[obxhead]

13. edit

I think we are in great need to have American $$$ and other allied forces $$$ in Iraq until we will be able to rebuild our military forces

[Rockerdem]

14. This guy matters little, one way or the other

We will leave when Sistani gives the word. Not before, and not long after. The rest are pissants.