Iraq PM Maliki is seeking U.S. trainers to work w/Iraqi forces after complete U.S. troop withdrawal

[ClarkUSA]

(Reuters) - Iraq will continue talks with Washington on how U.S. trainers can work with Iraqi forces after a complete withdrawal of American troops at the end of the year, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Saturday.

U.S. President Barack Obama announced on Friday that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq as scheduled by the end of this year after the two governments failed to reach an agreement over giving American soldiers legal immunity.

"Now that we have put this behind us, this will let us settle the issue of training," Maliki said. "Iraqis will ask to resume talks over the number of trainers, the duration (of their stay in Iraq) and how those trainers will be used."... U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton... said Washington expected to have a "significant" security training presence at the Baghdad embassy.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/22/us-iraq-usa-maliki-idUSTRE79L1C720111022?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

FYI: "Military advisers working at the embassy are covered by diplomatic immunity afforded to the State Department."

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. K & R (nt)

[ProSense]

2. You know,

the people who want U.S. troops to remain in Iraq are pushing the meme that this was a sudden decision by Obama.

From an MSNBC article

<...>

Michael O'Hanlon, an expert at the Brookings Institution in Washington said continued violence in Iraq was always a threat, whether or not U.S. troops remain.

"But it's true that their frequency may increase absent U.S. help in areas of intelligence and special operations," said O'Hanlon, who was among a group of Bush administration officials and academics who called on Obama to keep a robust U.S. force in Iraq. "In addition, I do fear the residual risk of civil war goes up with this decision, as the north in particular will become more fraught."

They're all upset that the war is ending, and Al-Maliki will say anything. In fact, whatever he says will go through the spin mill.

[SkyDaddy7]

3. The Republicans are NUTS!

It does not matter what position Obama takes on any issue the Republicans will take the opposite position!

I just hope the American people do not let the Republicans convince them that leaving Iraq is a bad thing...The American people have been suckers for Republican Authoritarian rhetoric in the past.