It's getting ugly in Iraq-Iraqis hit back at US commander

[malaise]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7684768.stm
<snip>
The Iraqi government has criticised US military chief Adm Mike Mullen for warning of "major security losses" if Iraq does not pass a key security deal.

Ignoring the warning, Iraq's cabinet called for changes to the draft pact, which allows US forces to stay in Iraq after their mandate ends in December.

Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the admiral's remarks were an unwelcome source of "deep concern."

Reacting to Tuesday's warning from the US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mr Dabbagh said in a strongly worded statement that the "Iraqi government is deeply concerned by the statement of Adm Michael Mullen".

"Such a statement is not welcomed by Iraq. All Iraqis and their political entities are aware of their responsibilities and are assessing whether to sign the deal or not in a way that it is suitable to them.

"It is not correct to force Iraqis into making a choice and it is not appropriate to talk with the Iraqis in this way."
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Get the fugg out of Iraq

[Oceansaway]

1. glad to hear the 'surge' is working....n/t

[malaise]

2. I'm betting the next surge will be the US surge out of

Iraq.

[ColbertWatcher]

5. Sounds like they're getting the hang of this democracy thing. n/t

[bigtree]

3. this underscores the dishonesty of those who claim the Iraqis need or want us

. . . to keep these troops in place indefinitely.

It also highlights the self-serving attitude of those who claim that the continued occupation is in the Iraqis' interest and not just another extension of U.S. imperialism.

[pleah]

4. K&R Haven't the Iraqis been telling us to GET OUT for about 3yrs. now?

:shrug:

[leftchick]

6. the curtain is falling off of this DEADLY charade!

It is too late for several million Iraqis, hopefully the US will completely leave soon. Like 2009!

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. But Bush said "we will leave if the Iraqis want us to"?

Remember? I remember.

And so apparently do the Iraqis.

[Canuckistanian]

8. Looks like the Iraqi govt. is finally representing the people

Mullen has no right to make pronouncements like that. It's attempted blackmail.

[malaise]

9. It won't work

Iraqis know there's an election in the US.

[KharmaTrain]

10. They Also Know Where The Bodies Are Buried...Literally

I see this as a shakedown of the boooosh regime...I expect that any new deal will be a very costly one. All the factions have gotten used to pulling blood money from the U.S. and will want a very high price to both keep the troops there and maintain their silence of all the crimes that went on during the psat 5 years.

The surge lull has allowed all the factions to re-arm...all that's kept the peace is our cash and it's gonna take a lot more of it to keep the status quo.

Cheers...

[malaise]

11. Not sure

The entire planet expects a new adminstration - why would they make a deal with lame fuck Bush?

Good point about the money but the money has dried up. I'm really curious about the link between the financial crisis and all the 'loose' money.:hi:

[KharmaTrain]

12. Who Said It Dried Up??

It's amazing how quick those pallets can show up at Baghdad airport...no accounting needed.

This is a shakedown...nothing more, nothing less. They know boooshie is a lame duck and wants this deal to cover his ass on the way out. It's not just this deal, but also getting an extention on the UN "mandate" that this regime uses as its justification for continuing the occupation. Without an Iraqi deal, they won't get the U.N. extenion...the Iraqis will go along, but at a price...and as the deadline nears, the price gets higher. They don't care about our financial crisis...it's not their problem how we come up with the money.

Yes, an Obama administration will change the dynamic and a new deal gives him the cover to withdraw troops...rather than have them shoot their way out. While all can expect an Obama victory, it's far from assured...so strike while the iron is hot.

[malaise]

13. Well even McBush isn't getting money from Rethug donors

who have taken a big hit as their ponzi scheme crashes.

[KharmaTrain]

14. That's Helped With The 527s...

Initially "Freedom Watch"...the group fronted by Ari Fleischer, was running ads here for Mark Kirk...I haven't seen one in at least two weeks. I was reading the Vegas dude who is the money behind it has pulled back on virtually all expenditures...he originally had pledged $250 mil. Another quiet one is Bob Perry...the other day someone posted a flier a group of his was floating around Texas, but Mr. Slimeboat has been real quiet this year as well...guess that's what happens when you aren't selling those McMansions he used to build.

Remember, Congress just gave Paulsen all that cash...I could see boooshie pulling his buddy over and asking his pal Hank to front him a couple bil for his Iraqi buddies.

[malaise]

15. Valid point since I read this morning that some of the bailout

beneficiaries have been redacted from documents.