New York – President Bush pressed Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Tuesday to move on stalled measures deemed critical to political reconciliation, while al-Maliki made clear his unhappiness about the killing of Iraqi civilians by private U.S. security contractors.
Meeting face to face for the second time this month, the two leaders used polite diplomatic language to talk publicly about tense issues. It was a sign of how little room each has to maneuver: The Iraqi prime minister owes his still-tenuous political survival in large part to staunch White House support, and Bush, even if dissatisfied with al-Maliki’s leadership in some areas, recognizes there is virtually no alternative to replace him.
Bush is under tremendous pressure from congressional Democrats and Republicans alike to show that his loyalty to al-Maliki is justified, given the Iraqi leader’s slow progress in bringing rival sects together to lessen fighting and meet U.S. benchmarks.
After their hour-long meeting, the president praised al-Maliki for “your dedication and your commitment” while speaking about the need for unspecified “political parties in Iraq” to make strides.
Much-delayed action, such as a national oil law, have stalled in the Iraqi parliament amid factional bickering and, in some cases, defections.
Bush also underscored Iraq’s obligation to beef up security forces.
Al-Maliki defended his government’s performance while saying “the task before us is gigantic.”
The prime minister brought up his own deep frustration about Blackwater USA, a private contractor whose security guards are blamed for killing 11 Iraqi civilians while escorting a diplomatic convoy in Baghdad earlier this month.
