Political Crossfire Forums

[Timmytour]

With Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki due to meet up with President Bush next week, the threat by Al Sadr's followers to withdraw their support from parliament if that meeting goes ahead makes it, if not one of the key developments in the whole Iraq affair to date, then certainly a very interesting one.

Bush has now committed himself to the meeting, so if al-Maliki doesn't go ahead with it, I guess, as well as possibly being perceived as a massive snub of Bush, it will perhaps demostrate where the true balance of power in Iraq really lies.

If he does indeed go ahead with it, then both his future as PM and the reputation of Al Sadr will surely be at stake....

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/iraq/16095705.htm
Quote: Posted on Sat, Nov. 25, 2006email
Bush keeps plans to meet Iraq chief
SHIITE BLOC REFUSES TO SUPPORT PREMIER IF TALKS TAKE PLACE
By Deb Riechmann
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Refusing to bow to threats from Shiite lawmakers, President Bush is sticking to his plan to hold a summit in Jordan next week with the leader of Iraq, where sectarian bloodshed is escalating.

In Baghdad, followers of anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr warned that they would suspend their membership in the Iraqi parliament and Cabinet if Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki kept his appointment in Amman with Bush on Wednesday and Thursday. That put Maliki in a difficult position, because he needs the support of both Bush and Sadr.

The Sadr bloc in parliament and government is the backbone of Maliki's political support, and its withdrawal, if only temporarily, would be a severe blow to the prime minister's already shaky hold on power.

Bush, who is spending the Thanksgiving weekend at his Camp David retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains, is not changing his schedule, Scott Stanzel, a press officer for the president, said Friday.

His meeting with Maliki next week comes as a special high-level commission, headed by former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, is mulling over recommendations for possible changes in U.S. policy in Iraq. It is expected to make its findings known sometime next month.

Pentagon press officer Lt. Col. Mark Ballesteros said Friday that Maliki's government remains steadfast despite the violence.

`The government of Iraq is intent on restoring order and maintaining security throughout Baghdad,'' Ballesteros said.

For me this is an issue which is similar to the one of the US withdrawing. I think he should go ahead with the meeting and call the bluff of the Al Sadr's bloc. I, m not sure the aftermath would be all that pretty if it does come down to it, but it's one of those "sink or swim" moments that need to be undertaken in life from time to time

[sLiPpY]

It's nice that Bush will be in Jordan next week. I've always thought that as a part of the WoT, we should keep Bush traveling perpetually.

i.e. Indonesia where they protested Bush being there, in that they felt it increased their opportunities for a terror attack.

To keep America safe at home, I think that we should demand that Bush always travel abroad. :-D

[Centrist]

Timmytour wrote: With Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki due to meet up with President Bush next week, the threat by Al Sadr's followers to withdraw their support from parliament if that meeting goes ahead makes it, if not one of the key developments in the whole Iraq affair to date, then certainly a very interesting one.

Bush has now committed himself to the meeting, so if al-Maliki doesn't go ahead with it, I guess, as well as possibly being perceived as a massive snub of Bush, it will perhaps demostrate where the true balance of power in Iraq really lies.

If he does indeed go ahead with it, then both his future as PM and the reputation of Al Sadr will surely be at stake....

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/iraq/16095705.htm
Quote: Posted on Sat, Nov. 25, 2006email
Bush keeps plans to meet Iraq chief
SHIITE BLOC REFUSES TO SUPPORT PREMIER IF TALKS TAKE PLACE
By Deb Riechmann
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Refusing to bow to threats from Shiite lawmakers, President Bush is sticking to his plan to hold a summit in Jordan next week with the leader of Iraq, where sectarian bloodshed is escalating.

In Baghdad, followers of anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr warned that they would suspend their membership in the Iraqi parliament and Cabinet if Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki kept his appointment in Amman with Bush on Wednesday and Thursday. That put Maliki in a difficult position, because he needs the support of both Bush and Sadr.

The Sadr bloc in parliament and government is the backbone of Maliki's political support, and its withdrawal, if only temporarily, would be a severe blow to the prime minister's already shaky hold on power.

Bush, who is spending the Thanksgiving weekend at his Camp David retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains, is not changing his schedule, Scott Stanzel, a press officer for the president, said Friday.

His meeting with Maliki next week comes as a special high-level commission, headed by former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, is mulling over recommendations for possible changes in U.S. policy in Iraq. It is expected to make its findings known sometime next month.

Pentagon press officer Lt. Col. Mark Ballesteros said Friday that Maliki's government remains steadfast despite the violence.

`The government of Iraq is intent on restoring order and maintaining security throughout Baghdad,'' Ballesteros said.

For me this is an issue which is similar to the one of the US withdrawing. I think he should go ahead with the meeting and call the bluff of the Al Sadr's bloc. I, m not sure the aftermath would be all that pretty if it does come down to it, but it's one of those "sink or swim" moments that need to be undertaken in life from time to time

I'll agree with that assessment. It s*cks for al-Miliki, though, as it puts him between the rock and the hard place. Meet with Bush and potentially lose an important voting bloc. Don't meet with Bush and he just bent over to pick up the soap for al Sadr.

[beachbum bob]

bush and Maliki have their wagons hitched together....and aint helping either one too well....Maliki appears inept, bush appears inept and Iraq keeps winding deeper into total chaos and civil war. A break in the relationship is eminent...as both are poison to each other

[Richard Owl Mirror]

Cheney in Riyadh to discuss 'new initiative' with king
• Iraq, Iran and other Middle East issues set to be discussed Saturday
• Cheney's meeting with King Abdullah follows two months of work, adviser says
• Saudi Arabia wants to be "linchpin" of U.S. policy for rest of Bush's term

Quote: RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (CNN) -- Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for a day of talks with King Abdullah about what a Saudi adviser described as a "broad new initiative for the Middle East."

Cheney and Abdullah are expected to discuss the war in Iraq as well as other matters including Iran's influence in the region; Syria; Hamas in Gaza and Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government, the adviser told CNN.

The visit is the outcome of at least two months of work on the new initiative, the adviser said.

Saudi Arabia and the United States see "eye-to-eye" on all issues, he added. His country will take a leading role in the region and will become "a linchpin of U.S. policy for the next two years."

The vice president will return to Washington on Sunday, the White House said.
~snip~


" a "broad new initiative for the Middle East."" ?

Well this can't be good for the "Spreading of Democracy" initiative.

[beachbum bob]

Richard Owl Mirror wrote: Cheney in Riyadh to discuss 'new initiative' with king
• Iraq, Iran and other Middle East issues set to be discussed Saturday
• Cheney's meeting with King Abdullah follows two months of work, adviser says
• Saudi Arabia wants to be "linchpin" of U.S. policy for rest of Bush's term

Quote: RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (CNN) -- Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for a day of talks with King Abdullah about what a Saudi adviser described as a "broad new initiative for the Middle East."

Cheney and Abdullah are expected to discuss the war in Iraq as well as other matters including Iran's influence in the region; Syria; Hamas in Gaza and Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government, the adviser told CNN.

The visit is the outcome of at least two months of work on the new initiative, the adviser said.

Saudi Arabia and the United States see "eye-to-eye" on all issues, he added. His country will take a leading role in the region and will become "a linchpin of U.S. policy for the next two years."

The vice president will return to Washington on Sunday, the White House said.
~snip~


" a "broad new initiative for the Middle East."" ?

Well this can't be good for the "Spreading of Democracy" initiative.


perhaps containment of the Iraqi civil war with "no-fly zones".... 8:) 8:)

[Richard Owl Mirror]

beachbum bob wrote: Richard Owl Mirror wrote: Cheney in Riyadh to discuss 'new initiative' with king
• Iraq, Iran and other Middle East issues set to be discussed Saturday
• Cheney's meeting with King Abdullah follows two months of work, adviser says
• Saudi Arabia wants to be "linchpin" of U.S. policy for rest of Bush's term

Quote: RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (CNN) -- Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for a day of talks with King Abdullah about what a Saudi adviser described as a "broad new initiative for the Middle East."

Cheney and Abdullah are expected to discuss the war in Iraq as well as other matters including Iran's influence in the region; Syria; Hamas in Gaza and Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government, the adviser told CNN.

The visit is the outcome of at least two months of work on the new initiative, the adviser said.

Saudi Arabia and the United States see "eye-to-eye" on all issues, he added. His country will take a leading role in the region and will become "a linchpin of U.S. policy for the next two years."

The vice president will return to Washington on Sunday, the White House said.
~snip~


" a "broad new initiative for the Middle East."" ?

Well this can't be good for the "Spreading of Democracy" initiative.


perhaps containment of the Iraqi civil war with "no-fly zones".... 8:) 8:)

I'm eager to find out how Saudi Arabia will become the linchpin of U.S. policy for the next two years.
And WHY Two Years ?

[Mr. Sunshine]

It is the perfect excuse to neutralize the Mehdi Army. 8:)

[Richard Owl Mirror]

Mr. Sunshine wrote: It is the perfect excuse to neutralize the Mehdi Army. 8:)

Is not "the Mehdi Army" comprised of those citizens for which we invaded Iraq to stop their Genocide?
How did that most noble goal turn them into our new enemy ?

[Timmytour]

Well...not sure why...but the first meeting has been postponed.

Though I believe Al Sadr's mob have already carried out their threat.

Could this perhaps be a reason?