Rhaomi
29-11-2006, 16:39
The New York Times (here we go) has leaked a memo from National Security Adviser Michael Hayden. The memo, written November 8, expresses serious doubt in the leadership capabilities of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, and questions whether he understands or is capable of stopping the sectarian violence there.
Here is the CNN story (link (http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/29/bush.trip.ap/index.html)):
RIGA, Latvia (AP) -- Reports circulated Wednesday that one of President Bush's top advisers has serious doubts about the Iraqi prime minister's ability to stem the violence in his country, as President Bush headed for a meeting with embattled Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
The White House has avoided saying that Bush will be pressuring al-Maliki at the meeting in Amman, Jordan, to do more to stop the bloodshed.
National security adviser Stephen Hadley says that the Iraqi prime minister pushes himself and that Bush will be listening to al-Maliki's ideas, not imposing plans on him.
But in a classified November 8 memo following his October 30 trip to Baghdad, Hadley expressed serious doubts about whether al-Maliki had the capacity to control the sectarian violence in Iraq, and recommended steps to strengthen the Iraqi leader's position, The New York Times reported in Wednesday editions.
"The reality on the streets of Baghdad suggests Maliki is either ignorant of what is going on, misrepresenting his intentions, or that his capabilities are not yet sufficient to turn his good intentions into action," the story quoted the memo as saying.
The White House did not dispute the accuracy of the quoted material from the memo, but a senior administration official, reacting on condition of anonymity to details of the published classified memo, said Wednesday that, taken as a whole, it is an expression of support for al-Maliki.
"You have a constant reiteration of the importance of strengthening the Maliki government, the need to work with him, to augment his capabilities," the official said. He added that Bush and al-Maliki have a "personal relationship" that allows them to "talk candidly about the challenges."
Another official, also speaking anonymously because of the classified nature of the memo, said it was not "a slap in the face, but it's, 'How do we grow his capability.' "
"The president has confidence in Prime Minister Maliki, and also the administration is working with the prime minister to improve his capabilities," Press Secretary Tony Snow told reporters, adding that al-Maliki "has been very aggressive in recent weeks in taking on some of the key challenges."
Meanwhile, lawmakers and Cabinet ministers loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday suspended their participation in the parliament and government in protest over al-Maliki's summit with Bush.
I especially like the part where they say the memo actually supports Maliki. Nothing better than doublethink at the highest levels...
My question: what's the point of trying to strengthen Malaki or trying to work with him more when he openly kowtows to al-Sadr's demands?
Here is the CNN story (link (http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/29/bush.trip.ap/index.html)):
RIGA, Latvia (AP) -- Reports circulated Wednesday that one of President Bush's top advisers has serious doubts about the Iraqi prime minister's ability to stem the violence in his country, as President Bush headed for a meeting with embattled Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
The White House has avoided saying that Bush will be pressuring al-Maliki at the meeting in Amman, Jordan, to do more to stop the bloodshed.
National security adviser Stephen Hadley says that the Iraqi prime minister pushes himself and that Bush will be listening to al-Maliki's ideas, not imposing plans on him.
But in a classified November 8 memo following his October 30 trip to Baghdad, Hadley expressed serious doubts about whether al-Maliki had the capacity to control the sectarian violence in Iraq, and recommended steps to strengthen the Iraqi leader's position, The New York Times reported in Wednesday editions.
"The reality on the streets of Baghdad suggests Maliki is either ignorant of what is going on, misrepresenting his intentions, or that his capabilities are not yet sufficient to turn his good intentions into action," the story quoted the memo as saying.
The White House did not dispute the accuracy of the quoted material from the memo, but a senior administration official, reacting on condition of anonymity to details of the published classified memo, said Wednesday that, taken as a whole, it is an expression of support for al-Maliki.
"You have a constant reiteration of the importance of strengthening the Maliki government, the need to work with him, to augment his capabilities," the official said. He added that Bush and al-Maliki have a "personal relationship" that allows them to "talk candidly about the challenges."
Another official, also speaking anonymously because of the classified nature of the memo, said it was not "a slap in the face, but it's, 'How do we grow his capability.' "
"The president has confidence in Prime Minister Maliki, and also the administration is working with the prime minister to improve his capabilities," Press Secretary Tony Snow told reporters, adding that al-Maliki "has been very aggressive in recent weeks in taking on some of the key challenges."
Meanwhile, lawmakers and Cabinet ministers loyal to anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Wednesday suspended their participation in the parliament and government in protest over al-Maliki's summit with Bush.
I especially like the part where they say the memo actually supports Maliki. Nothing better than doublethink at the highest levels...
My question: what's the point of trying to strengthen Malaki or trying to work with him more when he openly kowtows to al-Sadr's demands?