Iraq: President Bush warns that "America's patience is not unlimited," but Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says he won't be hurried getting Iraq's act together. For Baghdad and Washington alike, time is no friend.
'This government is one of popular will and national unity, and it is nobody's right to put timetables before it," al-Maliki said defiantly Wednesday after our ambassador said Iraqi leaders had agreed to year-end deadlines for reining in militia groups, plus other military and political objectives.
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For all the talk we hear of Iraq unraveling, Gen. George Casey, chief U.S. commander there, stated Tuesday that with our assistance, Iraqi forces could take over military operations in all provinces within 18 months.
He also noted that 90% of Iraq's violence is limited to five of the country's 18 provinces, and added that "the men and women of the armed forces here have never lost a battle in over three years of war. That is a fact unprecedented in military history."
So we're poised to reach our oft-stated goal of standing down as the Iraqis stand up. It would be a monumental tragedy if Democrats, by gaining control of Congress, were allowed to derail years of tough progress in Iraq when we're so close to final success. Al-Maliki should realize that the victory of freedom for Iraqis is within grasp - if only he would get moving on the tough work so vitally needed.
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