SWJED
05-06-2007, 01:23 AM
5 May Washington Times commentary - What is Iraq Giving Back? (http://washingtontimes.com/commentary/20070504-085837-4767r.htm) By Terence P. Jeffrey.
... The prospect of a long, hot summer with American soldiers dying in escalating numbers in Iraq while Iraqi legislators enjoy an extended vacation sent Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Baghdad last month. He warned Mr. al-Maliki and other Iraqi leaders that the U.S. commitment in Iraq is not "open-ended," and that the de-Ba'athification and oil reforms must pass before Iraq's parliament takes a vacation. Mr. Gates got no commitment from the Iraqis.
If the "surge" strategy fails, it will not be because Democrats in Congress blocked it. It will not be because some terrorist group or insurgency defeated the U.S. military. It will be because elected members of the Iraqi parliament failed to live up to President Bush's expectations.
... The prospect of a long, hot summer with American soldiers dying in escalating numbers in Iraq while Iraqi legislators enjoy an extended vacation sent Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Baghdad last month. He warned Mr. al-Maliki and other Iraqi leaders that the U.S. commitment in Iraq is not "open-ended," and that the de-Ba'athification and oil reforms must pass before Iraq's parliament takes a vacation. Mr. Gates got no commitment from the Iraqis.
If the "surge" strategy fails, it will not be because Democrats in Congress blocked it. It will not be because some terrorist group or insurgency defeated the U.S. military. It will be because elected members of the Iraqi parliament failed to live up to President Bush's expectations.