Wednesday, November 30, 2011

U.S. Vice President Biden: New Relationship With Iraq

Vice President Joe Biden meets with Commander of the U.S. forces in Iraq General Lloyd Austin and U.S. ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Nov. 29, 2011. (Saad Shalash / Reuters)

Biden: Pullout Ushers New Phase In US-Iraq Relations -- Voice of America

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has told Iraqi leaders in Baghdad that the two countries are embarking on a "new path" as the United States prepares to complete a troop pullout by the end of December.

Biden was speaking Wednesday in a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The vice president said the United States is keeping its promise under a 2008 agreement with Iraq to withdraw U.S. forces before an end-of-2011 deadline. The pullout will end a military presence that began with the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled former dictator Saddam Hussein.

Read more ....

More News On U.S. Vice President Biden's Trip To Iraq

Biden Says U.S. Seeks 'New Beginning' With Iraq During Surprise Visit to Baghdad -- FOX News/AP
Biden says U.S. 'stands ready' to help Iraq -- CNN
Biden says US, Iraq in new phase as US troops go -- AFP
Biden marks "new beginning of a relationship" in Iraq -- USA Today
Biden in Iraq: A new beginning -- Politico
Biden in Iraq to Prepare for Postwar Relations -- New York Times

My Comment: I am surprised by this visit of the Vice President .... I expected the President instead.

In the meantime .... 13,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq as drawdown continues.

No comments: