Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki responded yesterday to criticism of him and his government by Pres. Bush and Sec. of State Condolezza Rice, saying that their grim assessments were giving aid and comfort to terrorists:
— P.M. Maliki
Commenting on a recent statement by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, he said, “Rice is expressing her own point of view if she thinks that the [Iraqi] government is on borrowed time,” humorously suggesting that it might be the Bush administration that is on borrowed time.
“I understand and realize that inside the American administration there is some kind of a crisis situation, especially after the results of the last election,” he said.
Maliki said suggestions by Bush officials that the U.S. did not fully support his government played into the hands of insurgents.
“I believe such statements give a morale boost to the terrorists and push them toward making an extra effort, making them believe they have defeated the American administration,” Maliki said. “But I can tell you, they haven’t defeated the Iraqi government.”
The question this raises is whether Maliki is being told to act defiant toward his puppet masters in order to create an illusion of independence, or whether the puppet is truly cutting his strings.
Who says the Iraqi PM is incompetent? Sounds to me like he knows what he’s talking about!! I guessed long ago that we’d never arm the Iraqis – for both the obvious and Bush’s stupid reasons. For him to say that Bush is helping the terrorists with his anti Iraqi government talk – it is just priceless!!
I read a column last week that said Maliki was against the surge becasue he wanted the U.S. troops withdrawn to the perimeter of Baghdad so his Sunni forces could “clean up” the Shiite militias. Bush was against it, so the puppet master told the puppet he was getting a surge instead, so get over it.
Bush giving aid and comfort to the terrorists??
The ignoring of Bin Laden, the coddling of Saudis linked to 9/11, and the invasion of Iraq are just 3 examples.
Maliki is a Shiite.