BAGHDAD, April
26, -- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani met Tuesday
the US secretary of state and the defense secretary
at his Presidential headquarters in Baghdad.
They made an unannounced visit in part to show that
the President George Bush bolsters the new Iraqi
government. It is expected that Rumsfeld and Rice
will meet with PM Jawad Al-Maliki at a later time
today.
Rumsfeld expected that his country will soon discuss
the US forces' presence in Iraq with the new Iraqi
leaders Meanwhile Commander of the Multi-National
Forces in Iraq George Casey stressed that he is
studying the recommendation of the troops' reduction
in Iraq according to a time line this year. In which
US troops are 135 thousand soldiers, he said in a
press conference.
He added the number of the US troops depend on the
security situation in Iraq and the discussions with
the new Iraqi government. |
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (R) and US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) pose with
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani at the Presidential
Council Office in Baghdad. Rice and Rumsfeld urged
Iraqi leaders to swiftly form a national unity
government after the two flew in unannounced to
Baghdad.
Photo: AFP |
|
Rumsfeld played down the criticisms of the Iraqi
security forces. He said the Iraqi government will
play greater roles and should deal with the
potential of withdrawing about 35,000 US soldiers
from Iraq.
He said "the Iraqi security forces' capabilities are
apparently developing.
" He urged the new government to be more
representative, has stronger clout than the previous
ones and to depend on the abilities and not
sectarianism.
kuna.net.kw.
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