Iraqi PM Addresses Congress

26 July Washingrton Post - Iraqi PM Says Fate of Iraq Is Tied to U.S. by Bill Brubaker.

Quote:

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Addressing a joint meeting of Congress, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki today harkened back to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in asserting that his beleaguered country has become an essential partner to the United States in its fight against terrorism.

"Thousands of lives were tragically lost on September 11th when these impostors of Islam reared their ugly head," Maliki said, speaking in Arabic. "Thousands more continue to die in Iraq today at the hands of the same terrorists who show complete disregard for human life. Your loss on that day was the loss of all mankind, and our loss today is [a loss] for all free people."

Maliki said the U.S.-led military force in Iraq -- 127,000 U.S. troops are on the ground there -- should be withdrawn "only when Iraq's forces are fully capable."...

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The Post also has a link to the full transcript of Maliki's address - Iraqi PM Addresses Congress.