Speaking at a news conference over the weekend, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki addressed the growing political battle over the possible continuation of the US occupation through the December deadline. The new comments are likely to anger parliament, as he insists that keeping US military “trainers” in the nation doesn’t require any approval from parliament.
Indeed, Maliki says, he informed that parliament already that the purchase of additional weapons from the US would require trainers to show Iraqis how to use those weapons, and that this amounts to a de facto approval of those trainers.
Earlier this month officials insisted that the trainers would not be actual troops but would be contractors. Now it seems that this is being brushed aside as Maliki looks to avoid a hugely difficult parliament vote over the troops.
Maliki managed to convince parliament to approve of the US extension in 2008 narrowly, and only with the promise of a referendum which never came. Key political factions, including the Sadrist Trend, have drawn a line in the sand this time, ruling out support for another extension.
Wow! he's really learning fast. Just like US involvement in Libya doesn't require congressional consent. Soon the US example of hypocrisy will become the norm in other countries as well.
Hey, if you can call cold-blooded mercenary killers "contractors", you can call U.S. soldiers "trainers".
Unless Iraq will start to buy weapon from Russia.., but that needs US approval.., and if changing the Iraqi weapons of choice then Iraq needs to ask Russia to com into Iraq for training Iraqis.., is that OK with US and NATO.., or what about Chinese weapon.., what would Russia and US/NATO would say or do.., in the other hand what would Saderist would say in parliament and do to stop the sell of weapons by Americans.., would they ask Iranian army to enter Iraq and train them..! I think US and NATO would love that. In the other hand everything that Iraq was able to produce itself in terms of defense weaponry system has been destroyed by NATO bombing, even the sewage system and everything that is used by people is damaged or ruined totally.., they did that knowingly., they were doing it for such day as today.
"they did that knowingly., they were doing it for such day as today."
It is not easy for me to understand…. what you mean… Can you please tell us more Jamal.
They (US/NATO) bombed the country (IRAQ) to ruin where they could occupy it and sell their weaponry while stealing Iraqi peoples wealth by selling the Iraq government the Ford trucks and Chevrolet ambulances.., meanwhile US and EU governments been given Iraq to their own contactors to “rebuild” Iraq. It is well documented that almost every of these contractors been stealing money since day one by over charging EU and American people.., having said that.., $17 billion dollars of Iraqis peoples money is missing while in hand of US government.., Look, all these wars are lucrative wars for US and EU government.., non of these government give a pipeline full of manure for democracy, is about making money by senators and ministers of all kind, is about stealing peoples money both at home and in countries where US/NATO is at war, creating momentum for their own fascistic agendas implementing barbarians in charge, these are the years of religious crusaders of all kind while capitalism pockets the profit. Empire is dead.., is capitalism and its brutal economic system in charge now.., whatever it is that these inhuman systems are doing is their last options toward mankind unity and prosperity, it is their political and ideological obligation to divide people where they can steal the peoples wealth.., they only talk about where their interests is.., not where the real democracy needs to be supported, these times are about manipulation, a tribe against another tribe, people against people using religion as the tool for their agendas. Their (US/EU) agenda is and was about occupying the entire middle east from Lebanon to Iran since Afghanistan and when Iraq war started.., here the only different is that Barack Hussein Obama (thus far) is not using the militaristic tactics as Bush was using.., he is a mimicker of democracy by using his Noble Peace prize (why they give him that prize is a puzzle to me) he have managed to create a political turmoil in the region using the Muslims Brotherhood and its affiliated terrorist groups all over the middle east and north Africa to further divide people as in Egypt and other part of the region.
Naturally he needs american for his rule
Look at all the U.S. bases in Japan and wonder, how can Empire USA create imperial colonies so permanent?
I feel sorry for Maliki's family- when this all goes down, you can bet Sadr will have Maliki's head on a plate for this. And so it goes for puppets placed in power by the US: when his usefulness is served (i.e., providing a plausible excuse to maintain a huge amount of US forces in Iraq under the guise of 'trainers') he will be just as quickly shown the door when his nation turns on him and he loses control. If he's lucky- very lucky- he'll make it out of Iraq before Sadr gets his hands on him, or if he's doubleplusgood lucky he'll escape the Saddam Treatment of being executed for knowing too much.