Maliki In US until Monday

[Aqua Dude]

Mr Maliki was later expected at a dinner reception with Hillarious Clinton.

He officially kicks off his two-day visit by holding wide-ranging talks with President Barack Obama at the White House on Monday, less than a month before the complete withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and more than eight years after the launch of the US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.

Mr Maliki is also due to meet with Vice President Joe Biden and lawmakers to discuss security, energy, education and justice.

The US and Iraqi leaders "will hold talks on the removal of US military forces from Iraq, and our efforts to start a new chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq," the White House said.

The meeting comes as Iraq's top security adviser said that NATO will mirror the nearly-complete pullout of US forces by withdrawing its Iraq training mission at year's end after Baghdad refused to grant it legal immunity.

But an official at NATO headquarters in Brussels denied that any decision had been taken. "When they ask us to extend the mission, we need to see that the same legal framework will extend as well," the official said on condition of anonymity.

Iraq said the end of the mission was a surprise, with NATO previously having agreed in principle to staying through to the end of 2013.

"We are sorry that NATO has advised that it will withdraw its mission from Iraq... because immunity is something that is out of the government's reach," National Security Adviser Falah al-Fayadh said in an interview aboard a flight transporting Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to Washington.

He said Baghdad was informed of the decision on Thursday.

The failure to agree on immunity from prosecution closely mirrors Iraq's refusal to grant US soldiers similar protections earlier this year, sinking a potential deal between the two countries that means all American soldiers left in Iraq will leave by December 31.

Around 6,000 US troops remain stationed in the country on three bases, down from peaks of nearly 170,000 soldiers and 505 bases. All the troops must leave by the end of the month.

For his third visit to the United States since coming to power in May 2006, Mr Maliki is being accompanied by Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Culture Minister and acting Defense Minister Saadun al-Dulaimi, Transport Minister Khayrullah Hassan Babakir, Trade Minister Hadi al-Ameri and National Security Adviser Falah al-Fayadh.

Also on the trip are National Investment Commission chief Sami al-Araji and Mr Maliki's chief adviser and former oil minister Thamer al-Ghadban.

With American troops on their way out, some Republican lawmakers have expressed concern that neighbouring Iran could step into the security vacuum.

The US military leaves behind an Iraqi security force with more than 900,000 troops, which US and Iraqi officials assess is capable of maintaining internal security but cannot defend the country's borders, airspace or maritime territory.

Some 157 uniformed US soldiers and up to 763 civilian contractors will remain to help train Iraqi forces under the authority of the sprawling US embassy in Baghdad.

President Obama will mark the final withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq by addressing returning soldiers on Wednesday at a base in North Carolina. It was not immediately clear whether Mr Maliki would attend the speech.

Facing a re-election battle in November, Barack Obama is expected to stress he has kept his 2008 campaign promise to bring American troops home from Iraq.

But although violence has declined markedly from the sectarian bloodbath that marked a peak in 2006-2007 when tens of thousands were left dead, it remains a common feature of modern Iraq. In November alone, 187 people were killed in attacks, and several major bombings took place this month.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/usa/8950039/Iraqi-prime-minister-arrives-in-US-for-diplomacy-talks.html

Edited December 12, 2011 by Aqua Dude

[BETTYBOOP]

Thanks for the post. Interesting times, especially in the next few days.

[zigmeister]

Sometimes I think they are baiting Iran.

[Maggie123]

I hope Mr. Maliki will have a pleasurable and Productive visit.

[Aqua Dude]

things are looking great! after that article that came out yesterday about extending the mandate...this put a smile back on my face....time for a glass of wine!

[Maggie123]

Sometimes I think they are baiting Iran.

Why Ziggi? Because they are calling out how vulnerable Iraq is?

Not debating...truly asking.

Edited December 12, 2011 by Maggie123

[behaviorkat]

I hope Mr. Maliki will have a pleasurable and Productive visit.

Me too!

[Carrello]

Sometimes I think they are baiting Iran.

Ditto. Similiar to Sadr. You just hope they make an arrogant, stupid move so you can turn on the light and squash it.

[zigmeister]

Why Ziggi? Because they are calling out how vulnerable Iraq is?

Not debating...truly asking.

Yes. Exactly.

Ditto. Similiar to Sadr. You just hope they make an arrogant, stupid move so you can turn on the light and squash it.

It seems imo the plan.

[rvb4jan1]

Its taken so long to reach this junction, I believe Iraq will seize this opportunity to become a world player.

[MovieMaker]

Thanks for sharing.

[Redhorse]

very good post. There is a lot to think about. I hope that Obama does the right thing and do all in his power to to get Iraq out of chapter seven and to an RV. As much as I would like to see an RV, I remain a bit skeptical. I see a political game of chess being played and it makes me weary.

[Nelg]

Sometimes I think they are baiting Iran.

My thoughts as well. Iraq (Kurdistan) is the bait. There needs to be an excuse to take them out. An excuse is a reason wrapped in a lie.) Iran is lusting for the oil in Kurdistan, they are sending squads into Iraq to test their strength, and seek to recruit the disenfranchised. If there is enough support they will make their move and Israel and the U.S. will as well.

[rockhound60]

AFP – 5 hrs ago

..Related Content.

...Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, pictured in November 2011, arrived in Washington …

....Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki arrived in Washington on Sunday, looking to open a new chapter with the United States after a protracted war that left deep wounds.

Maliki was later expected at a dinner reception with top US diplomat Hillarious Clinton.

He officially kicks off his two-day visit by holding wide-ranging talks with President Barack Obama at the White House on Monday, less than a month before the complete withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and more than eight years after the launch of the US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.

Maliki is also due to meet with Vice President Joe Biden and lawmakers to discuss security, energy, education and justice.

The US and Iraqi leaders "will hold talks on the removal of US military forces from Iraq, and our efforts to start a new chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq," the White House said.

The meeting comes as Iraq's top security adviser said that NATO will mirror the nearly-complete pullout of US forces by withdrawing its Iraq training mission at year's end after Baghdad refused to grant it legal immunity.

But an official at NATO headquarters in Brussels denied that any decision had been taken. "When they ask us to extend the mission, we need to see that the same legal framework will extend as well," the official said on condition of anonymity.

Iraq said the end of the mission was a surprise, with NATO previously having agreed in principle to staying through to the end of 2013.

"We are sorry that NATO has advised that it will withdraw its mission from Iraq... because immunity is something that is out of the government's reach," National Security Adviser Falah al-Fayadh said in an interview aboard a flight transporting Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to Washington.

He said Baghdad was informed of the decision on Thursday.

The failure to agree on immunity from prosecution closely mirrors Iraq's refusal to grant US soldiers similar protections earlier this year, sinking a potential deal between the two countries that means all American soldiers left in Iraq will leave by December 31.

Around 6,000 US troops remain stationed in the country on three bases, down from peaks of nearly 170,000 soldiers and 505 bases. All the troops must leave by the end of the month.

For his third visit to the United States since coming to power in May 2006, Maliki is being accompanied by Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Culture Minister and acting Defense Minister Saadun al-Dulaimi, Transport Minister Khayrullah Hassan Babakir, Trade Minister Hadi al-Ameri and National Security Adviser Falah al-Fayadh.

Also on the trip are National Investment Commission chief Sami al-Araji and Maliki's chief adviser and former oil minister Thamer al-Ghadban.

With American troops on their way out, some Republican lawmakers have expressed concern that neighboring Iran could step into the security vacuum.

The US military leaves behind an Iraqi security force with more than 900,000 troops, which US and Iraqi officials assess is capable of maintaining internal security but cannot defend the country's borders, airspace or maritime territory.

Some 157 uniformed US soldiers and up to 763 civilian contractors will remain to help train Iraqi forces under the authority of the sprawling US embassy in Baghdad.

Obama will mark the final withdrawal of all US troops from Iraq by addressing returning soldiers on Wednesday at a base in North Carolina. It was not immediately clear whether Maliki would attend the speech.

Facing a reelection battle in November, Obama is expected to stress he has kept his 2008 campaign promise to bring American troops home from Iraq.

But although violence has declined markedly from the sectarian bloodbath that marked a peak in 2006-2007 when tens of thousands were left dead, it remains a common feature of modern Iraq. In November alone, 187 people were killed in attacks, and several major bombings took place this month.

..http://news.yahoo.com/iraq-pm-sets-off-us-ahead-pullout-071949408.html

[fancy]

Excellent news, everything is falling into place, this week we are gonna see some MAJOR headlines.

[MovieMaker]

Thanks for sharing.

[Blu Collar Guru]

THANKS FOR THE POST ! NEXT WEEK COULD BE VERY INTERESTING........

[vietnam1969]

Thanks for the post. Interesting times, especially in the next few days.

Yes it is interesting but we all want the final word to be let out! Maybe in a few days?????

[Maggie123]

My thoughts as well. Iraq (Kurdistan) is the bait. There needs to be an excuse to take them out. An excuse is a reason wrapped in a lie.) Iran is lusting for the oil in Kurdistan, they are sending squads into Iraq to test their strength, and seek to recruit the disenfranchised. If there is enough support they will make their move and Israel and the U.S. will as well.

Thank You Nelg for clearing up the "bait" part, that was my question. Sure hope it doesn't go that way.

Maybe we had a good talk about that with the Kurds when they were here last week.

[rockhound60]

On: Sun 12/11/2011 23:07

Baghdad (news) .. و Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and his accompanying delegation to Washington this evening, Baghdad time, on a trip that lasted for more than (16) hours, including two hours in the airport Hthero London, on board the presidential jet in particular.

. The media adviser to Prime Minister Ali al-Musawi in a telephone conversation with the Agency (news) on Sunday upon his arrival: the Prime Minister and his delegation arrived in Washington this evening, Baghdad time.

ك Al-Moussawi said: that al-Maliki will meet tomorrow morning, Baghdad time, U.S. President Barack Obama, and a number of officials where they will be with them, talks about the relationship between Baghdad and Washington, will also meet with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Hillarious Clinton, in addition to members of Congress and business Americans, where the talks will touch upon several issues, including security, energy, education and justice.

ن/ He pointed out: the s econd day of Zayaria will hold an economic conference is huge, with the participation of Iraqi businessmen and more than 250 U.S. company, in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce, the Iraqi-American and the rest of the ministries of the two sides, and continued: Moussaoui will be put Iraq investment opportunities in companies in all areas, especially in the infrastructure and the different economic sectors, pointing out that the conference will discuss cooperation in the private sector, Iraqi and American ways of strengthening and development. / Finished / 4. j. n /

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=ikhnews.com%2Fnews.php%3Faction%3Dview%26id%3D26701&act=url

[k98nights]

Maliki in Washington and the mass of Liberal describing the tour as an attempt to keep the U.S.

Date: Monday, 12/12/2011 10:59

 Baghdad / Majid flood

on a visit promised by some observers problematic, so as to synchronize with the date of the U.S. withdrawal, headed by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki yesterday morning to Washington, for the first time in his capacity as Prime Minister of the State "no foreign forces in which," to open a new page in relations between the two countries on the eve of the end of the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. and al-Maliki's visit comes two days and will continue to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama,

Less than a month to complete U.S. withdrawal from the country after eight years of military presence. A statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister, yesterday and received a (long) a copy of it, that al-Maliki "left this morning (yesterday), heading to the United States at the head of official delegation to discuss the development of relations between the two countries and raise the level of cooperation in all areas. " The statement added that "the delegation, including ministers; transport Hadi al-Amiri, trade Khairallah Babiker, culture, and Defense Agency Saadoun al-Dulaimi, and national security adviser, Faleh al-Fayad," noting that "the delegation includes also the president of the National Investment Commission Sami Raouf al-Araji, in addition to chief advisor Thamer Abbas Ghadban and Chancellor Media Prime Minister Ali al-Moussawi. " Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has announced, on the fourth of last November, he will pay an official visit to the United States in the 12 December of the current, indicating that this visit comes in the context of deepening friendship, cooperation and common interests between the two countries. Deputy for the Liberal bloc expressed his belief that the American side is trying, through the visit of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to find an outlet for its continued existence in Iraq. The governor said Zamili told all of Iraq that "the American side always tries to investment opportunities, visits and relations in order to pressure the government to obtain certain gains."

He added that "the Americans are investing Prime Minister's visit to Washington in order to increase the size of the stability of the U.S. and keep the number of security companies and obtain immunity for trained Americans and increase their number in the country. "

http://almadapaper.net/news.php?action=view&id=55103