Anti-Biden Protests in Iraq: Iraqis Call on US to Withdraw
Sadr Supporters Urge VP Not to Come Back
Protests against Vice President Joe Biden’s visit and the ongoing US military presence in general were reported in a number of cities in Iraq, with supporters of Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr getting the credit for organizing many of them.
Protesters urged the US to withdraw its remaining 50,000 troops from Iraq, and urged Vice President Biden not to come back either. Biden had claimed the US withdrawal was on track in a speech with Prime Minister Maliki, but later hinted at a long term continuation of the war when speaking to US troops.
Sadr, whose supporters hold a number of key positions in the new government, gave a speech last weekend denouncing the ongoing US presence, and warning that his support for the coalition government was predicated on Maliki keeping his word on the pullout.
Maliki for his part has insisted the US will leave at the end of the year, as mandated by the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). A number of US officials have openly said however that they expect Maliki to request the contnuation of the occupation through 2012 and potentially beyond.
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davidgrayling
January 14th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
The Americans have officially left Iraq but there are still 50,000 of them there. It gives the word 'left' a whole new set of meanings.
Double-talk I think Orwell called it!
Andron
January 15th, 2011 at 1:32 am
What ? Leave?
With all that oil still to be exploited and all the billions of dollars the arms merchants of America hope to make in sales to Iraq – there is no way this mob is leaving.
Walter Ponthaus
January 15th, 2011 at 2:48 am
"Doublespeak" is the correct orwellian term, but the meaning is the same.
theothercanada
January 15th, 2011 at 3:14 am
Congrats to Iraqi Patriots for letting the Nazi scum he is not welcomed in their Homeland.
goldhorder
January 15th, 2011 at 7:52 am
There are more mercenaries in Iraq than troops now. Even if the troops do leave the US could still have a shadow force there.
JLS
January 15th, 2011 at 11:25 am
To Iraq: You are now citizens of the global US empire. Your future will be decided in Washington by Americans. That is the meaning of exporting democracy now. This will last at least until the US suffers a Soviet style implosion, then maybe, just maybe you can be free to determine your own destiny.
thedissenter
January 15th, 2011 at 11:37 am
Ha ha ha! If Amerikans had any balls, they'd demand that he stay away from here too.
thedissenter
January 15th, 2011 at 11:38 am
They're never leaving.
johan
January 15th, 2011 at 9:43 pm
If anyone looked into the new US state dept "fortress" built in Iraq you know(unless you have the
same gene as former Alaska gove & have down time)the US is not going anywhere,biggest in the world!