U.S. and Iraqi leaders meet in Baghdad
Wednesday, 14 June 2006 | 164 readers so far
MNF-Iraq.com story on the President’s surprise visit to Baghdad.
BAGHDAD, Iraq– U.S President George W. Bush paid a surprise visit to the International Zone in Baghdad Tuesday to congratulate Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on the formation of a new Iraqi government.
The president was scheduled to be at Camp David with his cabinet to hold a video press conference with the prime minister.
Instead, he turned up in the Iraqi capital. The two heads of state spent a few hours in closed-door conversations.
We were invited to go see the President. I wasn’t that interested, especially after reading:
“Do not bring your weapon, knife or cell phone. We recommend you visit the latrine before you enter the building.”
That didn’t sound like a very good time. I don’t like not having my weapon - doesn’t really matter where I am. I carry a weapon pretty much everywhere, whether I am in the role of civilian or soldier. Besides, I’m not the type to be star struck, so I went back to my room and watched the two leaders on TV.
I think that their handshakes and warm smiles were genuine. The surprise factor of the visit probably came into play. There is a lot riding on the next few months events here, so President Bush and Prime Minister Maliki share common interests.
The media reaction was mixed, which is to be expected. Some said Bush was “gutsy” for traveling to Baghdad. I don’t think so. The commander in chief should be willing to take the same risks those under his command take. Bush visiting Iraq was a good symbol of support not only for the troops who are risking everything on a daily basis, but more importantly, his visit was important for the Iraqi government because they are risking even more. After all, they have to live here.
The Boston Times did a fair job of reporting on the visit:
There is something to be said in life for simply doing the right thing. Yesterday in Iraq, George W. Bush did the right thing. He did honor to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and showed his support for the cabinet al-Maliki has assembled in the most visible way possible - with a visit and a handshake.
That the super-secret presidential visit put Bush at some personal risk is surely not lost on the new prime minister of a country where all public service still comes with its own enormous personal risk.
I realize that the President’s visit won’t convince many people to change their stance on this war, whether for or against. That’s fine. All that really matters in the long run is whether Iraq’s government can enforce security. Everything else will follow if that one goal can be achieved. It will take years.
The security crackdown in Baghdad that is underway bodes well for Maliki’s ability to be decisive and his will to lead. Many American politiicans and pundits have recently been investing themselves in failure for Iraq. It’s still possible that will be the end result. Only time will tell for sure. I think those people will be proved wrong. For all our sakes, I hope so.
1 June 14th, 2006 at 4:07 pm
EXDemocrat says:
I’m really glad that he did this. The Iraqi government has finally come together and at the moment appears to be a good one. Having President Bush show up to meet with them in person when it obviously would have been easier and safer to videoconference, show’s respect.
I am very happy to hear about the major security crackdown, it’s definitely time.