There is some followup to yesterday's big news story that Maliki and Obama are sitting in a tree, possibly a date tree, kissing (or K-I-S-S-I-N-G if you will). The Bush Administration was so flabbergasted and confused that they sent out a press release promoting it, not quite understanding what had just happened. McCain bizarrely tried to claim that Maliki was just being a politician and saying that for Iraqi political purposes and we shouldn't listen to Iraqi leaders, then tried to claim that what Maliki said meant that he agreed with McCain not Obama (nailed it Sutjami). Then after much yelling an Iraqi government spokesman released a statement. It was notable for three things:
1. It contained no direct words from Maliki.
2. It claimed that he was mistranslated and taken out of context but is unable to give an example. I'll ask you, dear reader, to figure out which of these statements was taken out of context:
Today, we in Iraq want to establish a timeframe for the withdrawal of international troops — and it should be short.Sounds pretty clear to me. He wants the troops gone soon, not later.
....U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes.
....Those who operate on the premise of short time periods in Iraq today are being more realistic....The tenure of the coalition troops in Iraq should be limited.
3. The statement was released by US military Central Command. Way not to be obvious guys. The next step is for you to be seen forcing Maliki's arm up behind his back while you make him say he's voting for John McCain.
Der Spiegel stands by the story. Furthermore the person who translated worked for Maliki, not Der Spiegel. They also have him on tape.
But there you go people, if you want it you've been provided your cover to believe in unicorns again. Enjoy. Everything is fine, we are wanted in Iraq, we must stay forever.
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