[Dean's World] Dean: "Iraq Is Not In Chaos"

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Posted by Dean:
"Iraq Is Not In Chaos"
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1159227359.shtml


   President Jalal Talabani of Iraq:

     What do you think of the popular theory that Iraq should split into
     three parts?

     I don't think so. Iraq will not break up into three parts. Iraq
     will remain united -- we will have a united, federal Iraq. Kurds
     are struggling for the unity of Iraq -- Sunnis and Shiites, the
     same. There are differences among the Shiites and Sunnis which must
     be resolved, but not about the partition of Iraq.

     So, while many here in the U.S. believe the war is a mess, you
     believe the opposite.

     Iraq is not in chaos. There are many provinces that are calm --
     where people live in prosperity. . . . I want to assure the
     American people that Iraqis are now enjoying democracy and human
     rights and are struggling to secure the country.

     Would you welcome U.S. bases in Kurdistan?

     Yes, they are welcome. Kurdistan wants the Americans to stay. In
     some places Sunnis want the Americans to stay -- Sunnis think the
     main danger is coming from Iran now. There is a change in the mind
     of the Sunnis. The Sunnis are for having good relations with
     America. The [Shiites] have started to think that. Will the U.S.
     put bases in Kurdistan?

     I think we will be in need of American forces for a long time --
     even two military bases to prevent foreign interference. I don't
     ask to have 100,000 American soldiers -- 10,000 soldiers and two
     air bases would be enough. This will be [in] the interest of the
     Iraqi people and of peace in the Middle East.

   You can read the rest [1]right here.

   You know, if Democrats were campaigning this fall on promises to
   increase funding and other resources for our troops in Iraq and
   Afghanistan, and pledging not to pull out on an artificial timeline, I
   would probably support Democrats this year.

   (Via [2]INDC.)

References

   1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/24/AR2006092400922_pf.html
   2. http://www.indcjournal.com/