Biden steamrolls Bush, gains support of top Iraqis; press remains silent.

[Steve_in_California]

Iraqi leaders, namely President Talibani and Prime Minister al-Maliki–the two top leaders in the country–voice their support for the Biden-Brownback-Boxer amendment, marking a change of thinking and political strategy on the part of Iraq’s government. Misinformation promoted by the Bush administration and its media outlet, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, sent the Iraqi government into yet another tailspin when the false belief that the BBB amendment would, as the Prime Minister had previously said, prove a “disaster.”

Senator Biden acted swiftly to counter the adminstration’s campaign of deception by writing several pieces that were published in newspapers, setting the record straight about his plan for Iraq. He then met with President Talibani and was able to provide Talibani with the facts, both of which actions taken by Senator Biden ultimately led to this sudden reversal on the parts of Talibani and al-Maliki, who now understand that accepting the BBB amendment cannot possibly undermine their relative positions at home as apparently the two leaders had feared it might. In Iraq, if it appears that you are weak and allowing outsiders to dictate policy, you simply go boom.

Please refer to Senator Biden’s press release, below, and let’s get it posted all over the Internet. This is the greatest news thus far, and it would seem to be harbinger of even better news to come.
. . . . . . . . . .
October 3, 2007
Press Release

Iraq’s President Talabani Expresses Support for Biden-Brownback Federalism Amendment

Washington, DC – Today, Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. President Talabani welcomed the Senate’s approval of the Biden-Brownback amendment last week supporting federalism in Iraq, on a bipartisan vote of 75-23. He expressed his strong belief that the amendment promotes the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq and is not, as some have mischaracterized it, a call for partition. He also emphasized that the amendment is completely consistent with the decision Iraqis have made to adopt a federal form of government in their Constitution.

In addition, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, speaking in Arabic on Tuesday to al-Iraqiyah Television, made the following remarks regarding the Biden-Brownback Federalism Amendment: “They said they welcomed federalism. If federalism is what they really meant, why not? Federalism, after all, is stipulated in the Constitution. We, too, talked about federalism as this is a constitutional issue.”

Senator Biden said, “I welcome President Talabani’s support for the Biden-Brownback amendment, and also Prime Minster Maliki’s comments. Some – both in the United States and Iraq – have tried to mischaracterize our amendment as calling for the partition of Iraq. It is nothing of the sort. It calls for keeping Iraq together by bringing to life the federal system enshrined in its constitution. A federal Iraq is a united Iraq and the best path to a political settlement that virtually everyone agrees is necessary if we are to leave Iraq without leaving chaos behind.”

[jillan]

1. Steve - there is more that's not be reported - Iraqi leaders actively promoting Biden's plan

Last week, Vice President Tarek Al Hashemi has proposed a national compact blueprint aimed to stop deterioration in Iraq. The blueprint stipulates a Unified Federal Iraq and acknowledges the legitimacy of the national resistance against occupation. It is to be mentioned that Al Hashemi’s proposal was approved by Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani whom he met on Thursday.
http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-8234-.html

That is straight from Iraq.

[nightrider767]

3. A divided Iraq,,,

would only make it more difficult for the Bush Oil Cabal to get it's hot little hands on Iraqi oil.

Now that can't be tolerated.

Stay the course, brothers, we're all gonna be billionaires after this thing is over.

Whoops!?! Wrong forum. :wow:

[Steve_in_California]

4. There is no longer an inch separating Biden's plan and the plan the Iraqis feel safe to promote

at home. You build a bridge from both ends at once.

[gateley]

14. Are those your comments I see posted there Pirhana? :)

[jillan]

17. gateley -

you are very, very funny!

[gateley]

16. I just went and translated the comment from Arabic to English but it

didn't make any sense. I'll keep looking for another translation vehicle as I'd like to hear from more Iraqi people how they feel.

[mmonk]

2. Biden knows how to put things together.

[The Wielding Truth]

5. Country with 3 states.US started with VA,NJ, and MA.

Not quit the same, but independent states or regions bonding together to share resources worked for us.

Nice job pounding a way for peace, Biden!

[Froward69]

6. Recomend this the word needs to get out.

:kick: :applause: :popcorn: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[jillan]

7. And Shia members of SIIC want their own region in the south

SIIC, in contrast, is a strong proponent of federalism, and is closely associated with the notional concept of a "Shiastan" in southern Iraq.
http://www.viewswire.com/index.asp?layout=VWArticleVW3&article_id=382528423®ion_id=430000443&refm=vwReg&page_title=Latest+regional+analysis&rf=0

It's the Bush people that are fighting this. Is it because of power and oil? That's where I am placing my bets.

[mmonk]

8. bush wants to gather as many oil deals as possible

in their privitization of Iraq scheme. I've touched on the bush strategy here http://journals.democraticunderground.com/mmonk/26

[Steve_in_California]

Biden can teach Bush lessons in political maneuvering.

Biden has Bush in a corner. His plan for Iraq is now accepted in Iraq itself and the U.N. will soon hear from al-Maliki, who now supports the plan. This is all moving in a very positive direction, steamrolling right over that dolt in the White House. Joe Biden is now running American foreign policy. What a masterful coup!

[mmonk]

20. I agree. He's getting things done for a positive resolution.

[PatSeg]

32. This is stunning

Yes, in a sense, it is a coup - organized, intelligent, and legal.

[jillan]

11. Excellent reporting mmonk!

I recently read that Iraqi oil is flowing into other Arab countries . . .
the same countries that spoke out last week against Biden's plan.

[mmonk]

18. Yes.

bush wanted foreign stake holders in Iraq's resources. It's my contention that this is the primary thrust of the conflict now. If Biden can close this, it can bring the stability to keep all the investment buzzards at bay.

[robinlynne]

28. And a soldier (from a DU thread) said all their energy is now going into protecting oil trucks

for KBR. That is what our guys are doing over there, not training "the Iraquis to stand up". KBR oil trucks back and forth through Baghdad while people die and flee their homes. fucking oil trucks.

[mmonk]

30. A true shame.

[robinlynne]

25. the sunnis are probably not jumping up and down, and right now "the surge"

is giving weapons and money to the sunnis. But it is what the majority, the shia and the kurds have always wanted. I think if they give the sunnis an oil well, you may have a deal here....

k&r!

[jillan]

9. Bidenites -

Time for a mass emailing campaign?

This is such bs. Joe Biden has put together a plan that could very well be the beginning of stability in Iraq and the Iraqis accept it.
But all the msm wants to talk about is how much money Hilarack brought in. And what happened today in the life of Britney.
I feel like I am living in an alternative universe. It is starting to get to me....especially since I read that Biden
is doing all he can to prevent Pakistan from being taken over by the Islamic fundies.
And to top it off - I have heard from Iowa and NH that Biden is everyone's #2.

I have had enough - have you?

[gateley]

12. Yes. Not just because it's Biden, but because as you stated, this could be

the beginning of stability in Iraq and the fact that we are working WITH the Irais is exciting and hopeful.

[gateley]

10. Biden is almost single-handedly doing what we've all been clamoring for:

DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IRAQ! Some disagree with this approach, but he's started the forward motion going. Motion!

He is the one with the experience, wisdom and rapport in this arena and I trust him to take the steps that would best serve our country, our troops and the people of Iraq.

He's dialoguing and working with the Iraqi leaders. He and they are in agreement on a way to proceed. That's AMAZING progress!

So we can't demand that "something has to be done" and when that actually happens, say "that's not good enough".

I cannot know the end result of this (although I'm envious of all those DUers who absolutely DO), but I'm excited that we're taking steps, working with the Iraqis, and getting closer to healing.

[jillan]

13. And he was willing to put his campaign on the line for Iraq. Not playing it safe

like others are doing.

[robinlynne]

26. absolutely. this is the best news out there vis a vis Iraq.

[Jillian]

15. Who is going to give this rec #5????

[gateley]

19. That should be the headline of every newspaper every day: PRESS REMAINS SILENT. nt

[Celebration]

21. Should we start writing letters to the editor everywhere?

I hardly ever do that, but this is one issue that I might consider it. Where is some good even handed type fair information on this issue?

[jillan]

22. I will join you. But first I am going to wait until I get another good link...

Chris Matthews is pretty good to Biden. He will be the first one I will send the info to.

[murbley40]

23. yes,absolutely!

:grr:

[jillan]

24. kicking for what started out as being a great day for America before

it got hijacked.

[mmonk]

33. What got highjacked?

[jillan]

34. Another Biden thread.

[robinlynne]

27. I have to add, this is more important than the primaries!

[Az_lefty]

29. Nice work Senator, your getting my vote!

:kick:

[PatSeg]

31. He is brilliant

and you know he has planned this all for a long time. Meanwhile, he has the ability to negotiate behind the scenes with other members of congress on both sides. He has to create an atmosphere where many republicans who are fed up with Bush can come on board, just like he did with the resolution for a federal, decentralized Iraq.

[illinoisprogressive]

35. the press is keeping silent so Biden doesn't get democratic support

they want to keep him from getting people to vote for him and make him a threat for the nomination.
How sad. This is what needs to be email bombed by all democrats here.

[murbley40]

36. kick