President Obama and Prime Minister al-Maliki Discuss Adjustments as US Troops Prepare to Withdrawal

President Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Wednesday afternoon heralded progress being made in Iraq, addressing complaints from some U.S. troops that restrictions made on the travel of US forces in Baghdad put troops in danger.

Asked about the tensions, the president said “we have seen both improved capacity and greater confidence on the part of the Iraqi security forces. We’re very pleased with that.”

President Obama added that he speaks regularly with General Ray Odierno, the Commanding General, Multi-National Force—Iraq, who “has been extremely positive about the progress that has been made.” The president explained that tensions stem from the reality “that there are going to be, at times, differences in strategy, in the interests of the Iraqi security forces in setting up a checkpoint at some point, and our armed forces suggesting that, from our experience, a checkpoint might create a target for AQI, and so it’s better to be more mobile and to go after them.”

Al-Maliki , through a translator, said that if “Iraqi forces require support from American forces, they will ask the American side through coordinating committees that organize these operations.” He suggested that “what’s happening is organizing the roles between the two sides and — and cooperation.  It is not to marginalize the role of any side.  Based on the agreement, we are still under a joint responsibility to face any threats that Iraq is facing.”

Maj. Gen. Daniel P. Bolger, commander of the Baghdad Operations Command, complained a few weeks ago that an order by the Iraqi government to stop all joint US-Iraqi patrols in the city  runs “contrary to the spirit and practice of our last several months of operations,” according to an email obtained by the Washington Post. “Maybe something was ‘lost in translation.’ We are not going to hide our support role in the city. I’m sorry the Iraqi politicians lied/dissembled/spun, but we are not invisible nor should we be.”

A senior administration official tells ABC News that General Odierno wrote President Obama just yesterday that ‘contrary to press reports, this is going very smoothly,’ or words to that effect.

That, at any rate, was the message from both leaders today.

“Violence continues to be down, and Iraqis are taking responsibility for their future,” the president said, describing the June 30 withdrawal of US forces from cities and towns in Iraq as a “transition (that) was part of our security agreement and should send an unmistakable signal that we will keep our commitments with the sovereign Iraqi government.”

Said al-Maliki, “those who thought that the Iraqi forces, if the American forces leave, will be incapable of imposing peace and security, these people proved to be wrong.”

President Obama cautioned of “tough days ahead,” but said terrorists and “those who want to foment sectarian conflict” will fail.

In their meeting, Al-Maliki emphasized the need for the US to help Iraq get out of what are called “Chapter 7” constraints imposed after the Gulf War, referring to a United Nations resolution mandating that Iraq hand over oil revenues to other nations, such as Kuwait, as reparations for the 1991 Gulf War.

“As I’ve stated before, it I think would be a mistake for Iraq to continue to be burdened by the sins of a deposed dictator,” President Obama said, saying he was seeking “cooperation from various members of the United Nations” to help with specific disputes between Iraq and some of its neighbors. 

For his part, President Obama underlined his view that “Iraq will be more secure and more successful if there is a place for all Iraqi citizens to thrive, including all of Iraq’s ethnic and religious groups,” pushing the Iraqi government “to integrate all Iraqis into Iraq’s government and security forces.” The U.S. has also increased financial assistance to help displaced Iraqis return to their homes.

Both leader pledged further work on economic cooperation and trade, with the US helping Baghdad to convene an investment conference in October for foreign investors seeking opportunities in Iraq.

Al-Maliki will visit Arlington National Cemetery to visit what the president described as “the final resting place for so many young Americans who have paid the ultimate price to help forge this hard-earned progress.  They’ve set an example of selfless sacrifice that all of us must strive to meet, as do the Americans serving in Iraq today.”

 -jpt