Maliki in interview: Iraq committed to U.S. pullout deadline

May 4, 2009

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki stressed that timelines of U.S. Forces withdrawal from Iraq are definite and not subject to any amendments. Thus, Al Maliki contradicted all reports evoking the possibility of extending U.S. military presence in Iraq on account of violence spike in Baghdad streets.

In an interview with Al Sharq Al Awsat Newspaper, Al Maliki considered that if there were any need to, Iraqi government would have extended U.S. Forces presence in the country. He affirmed that neither Iraq nor the U.S. deem the extension necessary noting that he does not want to delay any deadline in order not to convey a negative message.

As for the security situation in Mosul, Prime Minister Al Maliki pointed out that the crisis therein is political while Iraqi security forces are able to handle it without further troops noting that it’s an intelligence operation.

Al Maliki added that Iraqi Forces are ready to take responsibility of the country at a time when British combat troops are withdrawing from Basra.

read: http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=193745


related:

Iraq rules out extension of US withdrawal dates

BAGHDAD, May 3 (Reuters) - Iraq will not extend withdrawal deadlines for U.S. troops set out in a bilateral accord, ending months of speculation about whether U.S. combat troops would stay beyond June in bases in the restive northern city of Mosul.

Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Iraq was committed to adhering to the withdrawal schedule in the pact, which took effect on Jan. 1, including the requirement to withdraw U.S. combat troops from towns and cities by the end of June and a full withdrawal by the end of 2011.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L323425.htm