It certainly was going to be a big day for both Prez. Bush and PM Maliki. What do you guys think about his visit. Was he sucessful? or a failure?
Iraqi PM to Congress: Baghdad wants to be regional stabilizer
Top Senate Democrat drops Iraq-Israel issue
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Iraq’s prime minister told Congress on Wednesday that his nation wants to play a role in Mideast stability and to encourage dialogue to solve international conflicts.
In an address to a congressional joint meeting, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki did not directly discuss the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah or respond to Democrats who had called on him to condemn Hezbollah and to apologize for denouncing “Israeli aggression.”
But he did speak in general terms about regional issues.
“We are working diligently so that Iraq returns to take the position it deserves and it plays a positive role in its regional and international environment as a key, active player in spreading security and stability, to give an example of positive relationship between countries through denouncement of violence and resorting to constructive dialogue, solving problems between nations and peoples,” al-Maliki said through an interpreter.
“This is the new Iraq, which is emerging from the ashes of dictatorship and despite the carnage of extremists, a country which respects international conventions and practices noninterference in the internal affairs of others, relies on dialogue to resolve differences, and strives to develop strong relations with every country that espouses freedom and peace.”
At one point, the speech was interrupted by a protester who called out, “Iraqis want the troops to leave. Bring them home now.”
The woman, identified as Medea Benjamin of the women’s anti-war group Code Pink, was escorted from the gallery by guards.
Al-Maliki said last week that Iraq wants the international community “to take a quick and firm stance to stop this aggression against Lebanon, to stop the killing of innocent people and to stop the destruction of infrastructure.”
Both al-Maliki and the militant group Hezbollah, the target of Israel’s offensive in Lebanon, are Shiite Muslims.
Reid ‘Not going to push issue anymore’
But comments by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebary earlier Wednesday at a congressional breakfast may have done much to ease the controversy, according to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D- Nevada.
Following the event, Reid quoted Zebary. “The foreign minister said, ‘I was at the meeting of the Arab League last week, I was directed by the prime minister to join with Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt to condemn Hezbollah and we do that.’”
As for himself, Reid said he “felt [the Iraqi delegation] did a decent job of trying to temp that down so, you know, I feel better having gone to the breakfast,” Reid said.
Reid said he’s “not going to push the issue anymore” and the “point has been made” that al-Maliki “needs to be more guarded in what he says.”
Several Democrats critical of al-Maliki attended and participated in standing ovations as the Iraqi leader spoke, according to The Associated Press. At least one member of Congress, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, boycotted the address.
‘Should not provide a platform’
Democrats seized on al-Maliki’s comments last week as the latest example of what they call President Bush’s failed policy in Iraq.
U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, D-New York, said Tuesday that Congress “should not provide a platform for supporters of Hezbollah.”
But several Republican lawmakers argued that al-Maliki is trying to hold together a fragile young government and that criticizing Israel is simply playing good politics back home.
“Am I surprised that an Arab has voiced words of concern about Israel and has supported Hezbollah and Hamas?” asked Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Connecticut. “No, I’m not surprised. He’s trying to build coalitions in his own country. I am outraged. But you know, welcome to democracy.”
Nearly 50 House Democrats signed a letter expressing their feelings to President Bush, and three senators, including Schumer, launched a similar effort in the upper chamber by writing a letter to al-Maliki.
Bush adviser: Comments not as bad as Iranian leader’s
National security adviser Stephen Hadley told reporters Tuesday that al-Maliki’s comments were not as inflammatory as those of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has called for the Jewish state’s destruction.
“I have not heard from him statements suggesting Israel does not have the right to exist,” Hadley said.
“I don’t know why he answered the question the way he did. I do know he understands firsthand the corrosive effect of terror.”
At a joint news conference Tuesday with Bush at the White House, al-Maliki did not directly address his stance on Hezbollah. But he lamented the destruction in Lebanon due to air and ground attacks and the civilian deaths and hardships.
Al-Maliki said he had talked to Bush about the need for an immediate cease-fire and international support to help Lebanon rebuild.
The United States has opposed such a cease-fire, saying it’s trying to pursue a long-term solution to the 2-week-old conflict.
The crisis began July 12 after Hezbollah militants captured two Israeli soldiers during a cross-border raid into Israel. Since then, Israeli artillery and warplanes have been pounding Lebanon in their mission to destroy suspected Hezbollah hideouts, and Hezbollah has kept up a volley of rockets into Israel.
CNN’s Ted Barrett, Dana Bash and Andrea Koppel contributed to this report.
Copyright 2006 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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