Bush Lowers Expectations of Other Countries Sending Troops to Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB03PFPYUD.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - Iraq's new leaders "are not America's puppets," the White House declared Tuesday while President Bush scaled down hopes that other countries would send sizable numbers of troops to help U.S. soldiers fight rising violence.

Bush warned the violence probably would get worse as Iraq's caretaker government takes charge June 30 from the U.S.-led occupation. "I believe there will be more violence because there's still violent people who want to stop progress," the president said.

With little notice, Bush came to the Rose Garden and stood in bright sunshine before television cameras to give an unqualified endorsement to Iraq's new leadership - Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer, a powerful Sunni Muslim tribal leader, who was picked for the largely ceremonial post of president, and Iyad Allawi, who was named prime minister last week. Bush said their selection brings Iraq closer to democracy and freedom.

On a sensitive subject, Bush played down suggestions Washington had played a major role in choosing the new leaders. U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi was "the quarterback," Bush said. "I had no role in picking. Zero."

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[Jack Rabbit]

1. No, he didn;t have any role in picking these puppets

Bremer did.

[mmonk]

2. One of the things about empire is

you're on your own. Eventually people here in the US will figure it out.

[pinto]

3. "with little notice"...seems the press corps was there, cameras, action...

and, imho, I would downplay the significance of anything this man says. He is not in charge.

Shit, he's not even accountable, responsible or able to remember if he ever met Chalabi, 'cept for for that State of the Union thing and some glad hand line......

Farce.

[struggle4progress]

4. Anger at plans for more Iraq troops

Tony Blair was today under pressure over plans to send more troops to Iraq.

The Premier revealed yesterday a decision would be taken within weeks over boosting the 8900 British soldiers already in Iraq.

<snip>

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon last week announced 370 more soldiers would join British forces in Basra. Commanders had asked for reinforcements because of increasing attacks on British forces.

Mr Blair said a decision on sending further troops was imminent and had not been put off because of the damage such a decision could do to the Labour vote at the local and European elections, on June 10.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5027044.html


See Tony. See Tony sweat. See George help. See George say it's a big mess. See Tony say thanks to George. Sweat, Tony, sweat!

[Voltaire99]

5. So much for "internationalism"

Are you paying attention, John Kerry? The world doesn't want to be the proxy for US mistakes. Start formulating a serious Iraq policy now.