All Blog Posts from Political Hotsheet

Iraqi Ambassador to the United States Samir Shakir Sumaida’ie said on "Washington Unplugged" Thursday that Iraqis are filled with "pure delight" and "jubilation" over Iraqi forces taking over security in Baghdad and other major cities from U.S. forces.

"People are happy,” said the ambassador, who spoke of parties in the streets. “People recognize this as a milestone in the progress of Iraq towards normality and sovereignty."

He downplayed recent reports on increased violence in northern portions of the country. "This is more of a statement intended for the media rather than for any actual military or political results,” the ambassador claimed. “The insurgents, terrorists, people who are trying to stabilize the regime have in fact been defeated. But they are trying to say, we are still here, we can still inflict pain."

"We believe that these will eventually die out,” he argued.

Sumaida’ie agreed that Iran exerts some influence over the Iraqi parliament and but put the onus on his country’s institutions.

Read full post…