Iraq president supports Obama’s timetable for withdrawal
July 21st, 2008In an interview with a German publication, Iraqi President Nuri al-Maliki was quoted as supporting Barack Obama’s 16-month timetable to leave Iraq. The Bush administration, naturally, flipped out and contacted the Iraq govermnet and both sides claimed that this was an error in translation. Turns out - it wasn’t at all.
The German publication, Der Spiegel, produced an audio transcript of the conversation.
According to The New York Times…
And in an audio recording of Mr. Maliki’s interview that Der Spiegel provided to The New York Times, Mr. Maliki seemed to state a clear affinity for Mr. Obama’s position, bringing it up on his own in an answer to a general question on troop presence.
The following is a direct translation from the Arabic of Mr. Maliki’s comments by The Times: “Obama’s remarks that — if he takes office — in 16 months he would withdraw the forces, we think that this period could increase or decrease a little, but that it could be suitable to end the presence of the forces in Iraq.”
He continued: “Who wants to exit in a quicker way has a better assessment of the situation in Iraq.”
That last quote, for me, is the real stunner…
“Who wants to exit in a quicker way has a better assessment of the situation in Iraq.”
Seriously. ’nuff said.
– Steve
Stumble it!
