PARIS, June 14, 2008
Bush Rejects Iraq Fears Over Security Pact
Says U.S. Is In Country At Iraqis' Invitation, Will Work To Accommodate Desires Of Gov't In Baghdad
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Mr. Bush, making his last trip to Europe as president, gestures during a joint news conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at Elysee Palace in Paris on Saturday, June 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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President George W. Bush visits Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, where the remains of more than 1,500 Americans who died in World Wars I and II lie, on Saturday, June 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Bush Calls For Iran Sanctions
President Bush and the EU called for harsh financial sanctions against Iran if they don't stop their uranium enrichment program. Pam Falk offers some analysis on what's to come.
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Bush Meets The Pope
President Bush continued his tour of Europe with a morning meeting at the Vatican with the Pope, then onto Paris with President Nicolas Sarkozy. Charlie D'Agata reports.
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Bush Gets Tour Of Vatican
President Bush met with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican as part of his week-long European visit. The president received a tour of the Vatican Gardens, where popes go to pray privately.
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Interactive
Iraq: 5 Years At War
Five years after the U.S.-led invasion, the war wears on.
"If I were a betting man, we'll reach an agreement with the Iraqis," Mr. Bush said during a press conference in Paris.
"Of course, we're there at their invitation. It's a sovereign nation. ... We're going to work hard to accommodate their desires. It's their country."
The deal would provide a legal basis for the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires. Mr. Bush said the agreement would not commit future U.S. presidents to any troop levels in Iraq and would not establish permanent U.S. bases.
Mr. Bush's upbeat assessment came as Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declared Friday that talks with the U.S. on the long-term deal were deadlocked.
Al-Maliki said the U.S. proposals "do not take into consideration Iraq's sovereignty," which he said was not acceptable. "At the end, we reached a dead end."
Sunni and Shiite preachers have spoken out against enabling American troops to remain in Iraq after year's end.
Al-Maliki said negotiations will continue, but his tough talk reflects Iraqi determination to win greater control of U.S. military operations after the U.N. mandate expires at the end of the year. Failure to strike a deal would be a major setback for Mr. Bush ahead of the November presidential election.
Bush, Sarkozy Jointly Criticize Iran, Syria
Appearing in Paris with Nicolas Sarkozy, Mr. Bush and the French president each directed one-two punches against Iran and Syria on Saturday, telling Tehran to stop enriching uranium and scolding Damascus for backing terrorism that destabilizes the Mideast.
Mr. Bush said he was disappointed that Iranian leaders on Saturday had rejected "out of hand" a package of incentives that a group of nations, including the U.S. and France, offered to Iran as long as it halted its uranium enrichment program.
Iran's rejection of the new package of incentives was expected. European Union diplomat Javier Solana presented a modified package of economic, technological and political incentives to Iranian leaders on Saturday on behalf of the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Russia and China. Iran immediately rejected the deal because it requires suspending uranium enrichment.
The decision could result in new, tougher sanctions against Iran, reports CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller.
Mr. Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, said earlier this week that such a rejection would trigger the international community to "get much more aggressive" about enforcing the U.N. penalties and taking other steps to squeeze Iran's vast international business and banking relationships.
Mr. Bush said an Iran with a nuclear weapon would threaten world peace. Sarkozy chimed in, saying Iran with such a weapon would be "totally unacceptable." The French leader said the only solution was a "faultless, seamless" regime of sanctions against Iran.
Quote
Assessments vary widely, but it is presumed Tehran will have enough fissile material for a weapon within a few years. A U.S. intelligence report in December said Iran once had an active warhead program, but shelved it in 2003. But the administration argues that the continuing enrichment means the military program could be restarted at any time, and without the knowledge of the outside world."We're there at their invitation. It's a sovereign nation. ... We're going to work hard to accommodate their desires. It's their country.
President George W. BushMr. Bush also issued a warning to Syrian President Bashar Assad, saying the Syrians should stop working with Iran to destabilize the Mideast. "My message would be `Stop fooling around with the Iranians and stop harboring terrorists,'" Mr. Bush said.
Both leaders were asked what message they want to send to the Syrians to get them to normalize relations with the West and achieve stability in Lebanon. In a statement issued by the French presidential palace, the United States and France sought to dispel signs that they have diverging thoughts on Syria. The joint statement called on Syria and Lebanon to quickly establish full diplomatic relations - a signal that the countries hope Damascus will reduce its interference in domestic Lebanese affairs.
Mr. Bush said Syria should serve as a constructive force in the Middle East to help advance a Palestinian state and make it clear to the Islamic militant group Hamas that "their terror should stop for the sake of peace."
Mr. Bush once again predicted that a peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians was possible by year-end, despite setbacks and violence. "Our job is ... to keep the process moving, so I'm optimistic," he said. "I understand how difficult it is."
Sarkozy warned Syria against standing with Iran on the nuclear standoff and other issues.
The French president said he and Mr. Bush agreed about the need to guarantee Lebanon's independence.
Sarkozy sought to play down a growing controversy about an invitation extended to Assad - among other Arab leaders - to France's Bastille Day military parade next month, and plans to include Syria in a new Union for the Mediterranean that Sarkozy has championed.
The two also talked about global warming, the Middle East, trade and Afghanistan. Mr. Bush thanked France for agreeing to send at least 700 more troops to Afghanistan.
Later, Mr. Bush took a bus to the outskirts of Paris, visiting two cemeteries and war memorials next to each other on a high hill - one for American troops who died in World War I and World War II, the other a tribute to French Resistance fighters massacred by the Nazis.
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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See all 365 CommentsBush says "U.S. Is In Country At Iraqis'' Invitation, Will Work To Accommodate Desires Of Gov''t In Baghdad"
Lie or simple ignorance. At this point I''m out with bald-faced flat-out lie.
Of course the neocons don''t care. They only care about lies when it''s a democratic president getting a b.j.
When did Iraq invite the U.S. to invade it?
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Posted by BajaJohn1 at 01:07 PM : Jun 14, 2008
+ report abuse
LMAO Hasn''t that been the way of it from day one of this 6 month war now in it''s SIXTH year. It has been ONE rosey picture after another painted by Sir Lies-A-Lot and NEVER is it the TRUTH!! The FASCIST, BOTH Bush and McSame, what to stay there forever and the People of Iraq want us out at years end. LOL Sieg Heil Bush
+ report abuse
It''s no different than anything else the loser has done while in office! Wouldn''t it be wonderful if he would just sit down and shut up for a few months... that way he could do no more harm.
I don''t remember the Iraqi people asking us to come into their country and destroy everything. Another Bush lie. Add it to the list.
During a visit to Jordan, Maliki said negotiations over initial U.S. proposals for bilateral political and military agreements had "reached a dead end." While he said talks would continue, his comments fueled doubts that the pacts could be reached this year, before the Dec. 31 expiration of a United Nations mandate sanctioning the U.S. role in Iraq.
The moves by two of Iraq''s most powerful Shiite leaders underscore how the presence of U.S. troops has become a central issue for Iraqi politicians as they position themselves for provincial elections later this year. Iraqis across the political spectrum have grown intolerant of the U.S. presence, but the dominant Shiite parties -- including Maliki''s Dawa party -- are especially fearful of an electoral challenge from new, grass-roots groups.
"All the politicians are trying to prove that they care more about Iraqis than they do about Americans -- otherwise they know the people and the voters will not support them," said Ala Maaki, a senior lawmaker with Iraqi''s largest Sunni political party. "I think we could see al-Maliki and Moqtada Sadr trying to one-up the other today and see who can take the strongest stand against the Americans."
Premier Rejects Terms of Proposed Pacts; Cleric Reactivates Militia
By Amit R. Paley and Karen DeYoung
Washington Post Foreign Service
Saturday, June 14, 2008; A01
BAGHDAD, June 13 -- The Bush administration''s Iraq policy suffered two major setbacks Friday when Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki publicly rejected key U.S. terms for an ongoing military presence and anti-American Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called for a new militia offensive against U.S. forces.
(cont)
In the run-up to the invasion, one of the most senior officials in charge of procurement in the Pentagon objected to a contract potentially worth $7bn that was given to Halliburton, a Texan company which used to be run by *** Cheney before he became vice-president.
Unusually only Halliburton got to bid - and won.
Missing billions
The search for the missing billions also led the programme to a house in Acton in west London where Hazem Shalaan lived until he was appointed to the new Iraqi government as minister of defence in 2004.
He and his associates siphoned an estimated $1.2bn out of the ministry. They bought old military equipment from Poland but claimed for top-class weapons.
Meanwhile they diverted money into their own accounts.
Judge Radhi al-Radhi of Iraq''s Commission for Public Integrity investigated.
He said: "I believe these people are criminals.
"They failed to rebuild the Ministry of Defence, and as a result the violence and the bloodshed went on and on - the murder of Iraqis and foreigners continues and they bear responsibility."
Mr Shalaan was sentenced to two jail terms but he fled the country.
He said he was innocent and that it was all a plot against him by pro-Iranian MPs in the government.
There is an Interpol arrest warrant out for him but he is on the run - using a private jet to move around the globe.
He stills owns commercial properties in the Marble Arch area of London.
BBC uncovers lost Iraq billions
By Jane Corbin
BBC News
A BBC investigation estimates that around $23 billion may have been lost, stolen or just not properly accounted for in Iraq.
The BBC''s Panorama programme has used US and Iraqi government sources to research how much some private contractors have profited from the conflict and rebuilding.
A US gagging order is preventing discussion of the allegations.
The order applies to 70 court cases against some of the top US companies.
War profiteering
While Presdient George W Bush remains in the White House, it is unlikely the gagging orders will be lifted.
To date, no major US contractor faces trial for fraud or mismanagement in Iraq.
The president''s Democratic opponents are keeping up the pressure over war profiteering in Iraq.
Henry Waxman, who chairs the House committee on oversight and government reform, said: "The money that''s gone into waste, fraud and abuse under these contracts is just so outrageous, it''s egregious.
"It may well turn out to be the largest war profiteering in history."
(CONT)
If you believe that one, I''ve got a bridge I want to sell you. Looks like the Iraqis have gotten a taste of that freedom we''re so fond of exporting.
That or it was just our fearless leader droning on "blah, blah, blah ..."
November''s just around the corner ...
Then it became liberating the Sheiites we left behind from the last Gulf War & for democracy.... Now that was done, we are fighting their own soveignty.
You have the mentality of a psychopath. And you call that strength?
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They invited chaos and total distruction of their society and infrastructure? We accommodated that invitation by sending troops to be slaughtered and maimed. Add to this the fact that the Iraqi government is as corrupt as our own.
The Iraqis just want more of a say in what we do and we''ll let them. We are not going any where. We are going to be in Iraq for a long time. We are winning and are going to win in Iraq. All you cry baby, tree hugging Liberals better get used to it.
EXCUSE ME???? There is no way in h*ll that ''Saddam'' INVITED the US to OCCUPY his sovereign country and then KILL HIM! How in God''s name can Bush stand up and tell ANOTHER OUTRAGEOUS LIE to the American people [like he told us all the other lies BEFORE HE INVADED IRAQ with SHOCK AND AWE]? This MF B*STARD needs to GO NOW; we can''t wait another 7 months! I don''t give a d*mn where he goes, just get him the h*ll out of our country before we have no country left! The Iraqi''s do NOT WANT 60 AMERICAN BASES in their country; just like we would NOT WANT 60 IRAQI BASES in America! "Coerced democracy"????? They did NOT "ASK" FOR THIS WAR! This is UNBELIEVABLE! I understand why impeachment if off the table [Cheney], but there has to be something else that can be done NOW!
EXCUSE ME???? There is no way in h*ll that ''''Saddam'''' INVITED the US to OCCUPY his sovereign country and then KILL HIM! How in God''''s name can Bush stand up and tell ANOTHER OUTRAGEOUS LIE to the American people [like he told us all the other lies BEFORE HE INVADED IRAQ with SHOCK AND AWE]? This MF B*STARD needs to GO NOW; we can''''t wait another 7 months! I don''''t give a d*mn where he goes, just get him the h*ll out of our country before we have no country left! The Iraqi''''s do NOT WANT 60 AMERICAN BASES in their country; just like we would NOT WANT 60 IRAQI BASES in America! "Coerced democracy"????? They did NOT "ASK" FOR THIS WAR! This is UNBELIEVABLE! I understand why impeachment if off the table [Cheney], but there has to be something else that can be done NOW!
Posted by ObamasLady at 02:56 PM : Jun 14, 2008
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Are you really that stupid? Of course we went there as invaders to catch the guy who hired OSAMA to attack us, but after that the UN granted us with a legal mandate to stay there at the request of Iraqis. So we can say we are there invited by the Iraqi people.
Are you kidding me??? He invited us every time he targeted one of our jets flying over the "no fly zone"
established after his country invaded Kuwait.
10,000 more American troops are needed there & trillions dumped into their economy for any measurable progress --- Taliban raided a prison & released 350 of their strongest leaders & NATO didn''t have enough troops to respond untill it was too late.
************8
You are so full of scheiss. Get real, even the President isn''t using that excuse anymore. Freak.
j-whitmanTroopsBasher,,,,Do you really think BARRACK OSAMA has spent 30 million dollars per month on his campaign to be President and receive a 400k dollar pay check a year? No doubt he want to profit and steal our money. Just think about it.Jerk.
There aint no Osama running for President, stupid racist.
How has he done this?
I''m sure the military will win if you personally go. When are you enlisting?
There aint no Osama running for President, stupid racist.
Posted by rudy654 at 03:07 PM : Jun 14, 2008
SORRY FOR THAT. MY KEYBOARD HAS A MALFUNCTION. EVERYTIME I TYPE OBAMA IT SPELLS OSAMA.
U.S. Treasury: All Trade And Investment Activities With Iran Are Prohibited
"Effective March 16, 1995, as a result of Iranian sponsorship of international terrorism and Iran''s active pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, President Clinton issued Executive Order 12957 prohibiting U.S. involvement with petroleum development in Iran. On May 6, 1995, he signed Executive Order 12959, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ("IEEPA") as well as the ISDCA, substantially tightening sanctions against Iran.
"On August 19, 1997, the President signed Executive Order 13059 clarifying Executive Orders 12957 and 12959 and confirming that virtually all trade and investment activities with Iran by U.S. persons, wherever located, are prohibited. [U.S. Treasury Department, accessed on 5/21/08]
I wouldn''t blame anything other than that malfunctioning racist brain in your head.
Forbes: Hewlett Packard Exported Goods To Dubai To Open Up Markets In Iran. In the April 12, 2004 issue a Forbes magazine story entitled, "Trading With The Enemy" reported, "If you want to get around export controls, just sell the product to a front company in Dubai. The middlemen will take it from there... Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Microsoft, among many other U.S. companies, keep Dubai offices and are favorites these days among Iranian traders in Dubai. Reason? Strong demand for %u2018anything high-tech for military or oil services,'' says Bolurfrushan of the Iranian Business Council. [Forbes, 4/12/04]
Posted by j-whitman at 03:08 PM : Jun 14, 2008
Are you kidding right? How we lost our national security? 7 and a half years without any MOHAMMED ATTA or SHOE BOMBER to plot any attack. Is that what you call LOST NATIONAL SECURITY?
Charlie Black Earned $800,000 From 1999 - 2002 For His Firm Lobbying For General Electric Capital Services. Charlie Black was a registered lobbyist for General Electric Capital Services, a subsidiary of General Electric Co., from 1999-2002. His firm, BKSH & Associates earned $800,000 from the lobbying activities. [Senate Lobbying Disclosure Database, accessed 5/20/08]
2000: While Black Served As Their Lobbyist, GE Supplied Hydroelectric Generators To Iran. In 2000, General Electric Canada Inc. agreed to supply four hydroelectric generators to Iran Water and Power Resources Development Co. According to the Globe & Mail "William Thompson, the city''s comptroller, filed a shareholders'' resolution yesterday demanding that GE''s board of directors create a committee to review the company''s business operations in Iran, which has been classified as a %u2018sponsor of terrorism'' by the U.S. federal government." [Globe and Mail, 2/11/03]
Grant Aldonas Is An Economic Policy Adviser To John McCain. According to John McCain''s website, Grant Aldonas serves as an economic policy adviser to John McCain''s presidential campaign. [JohnMcCain.com, accessed 5/21/08]
Grant Aldonas Was A Registered Lobbyist For Mittal Steel In 2005 And 2007. According to the Senate Lobbying Disclosure Database, Grant Aldonas registered as a lobbyist for Mittal Steel USA in the years 2005 & 2007. [Senate Lobbying Disclosure Database, accessed 5/21/08]
The SEC Announced That Mittal Steel Was "Indirectly Subsidizing A Terrorist Haven." The Securities and Exchange Commission listed Mittal Steel USA as having links to "countries designated as state sponsors of terror." Defending his decision to publish the names of companies doing business with Iran, SEC Chairman Christopher Cox said, "No investor should ever have to wonder whether his or her investments or retirement savings are indirectly subsidizing a terrorist haven or genocide state." [BBC, 7/6/07, SEC via The Jewish Policy Center, accessed 5/21/08]
Posted by BagdadsHere2 at 03:12 PM
I still want to know why people already on a terrorist watchlist were allowed to learn how to fly planes and not land them in our country. These people were on that list long before they were issued student visas.
Lobbyist Peter Madigan Serves As A Bundler For John McCain. According to Public Citizen, Peter Madigan serves as a bundler for John McCain''s presidential campaign, although the amount he has raised remains undisclosed. Madigan is a lobbyist with Johnson, Madigan, Peck Boland & Stewart. [Public Citizen, accessed 5/21/08]
Madigan Earned Up To $50,000 As A Lobbyist For Shell Oil In 2002. According to the Senate Lobbying Disclosure Database, Peter Madigan was a lobbyist for Shell Oil Company in 2002, earning between $40,000 and $50,000 for his firm. [Senate Lobbying Disclosure Database, accessed 5/21/08]
The SEC Announced That Royal Dutch Shell Was "Indirectly Subsidizing A Terrorist Haven." The Securities and Exchange Commission listed Royal Dutch Shell as having links to "countries designated as state sponsors of terror." Defending his decision to publish the names of companies doing business with Iran, SEC Chairman Christopher Cox said, "No investor should ever have to wonder whether his or her investments or retirement savings are indirectly subsidizing a terrorist haven or genocide state." [BBC, 7/6/07, SEC via The Jewish Policy Center, accessed 5/21/08]
Oh, so you are putting conditions on your contribution to the war effort. How "patriotic" of you.
Randy Scheunemann Is McCain''s Defense And Foreign Policy Coordinator. Randy Scheunemann, a former national security aide to Bob Dole and Trent Lott serves as McCain''s defense and foreign policy coordinator. [Washington Post, 10/2/07]
Randy Scheunemann Lobbied For BP Amoco On Matters Concerning International Oil Production. According to the Senate Lobbying Disclosure Database, in 1999 and 2000 Randy Scheunemann lobbied on behalf of BP Amoco on matters concerning international oil production. [Senate Lobbying Disclosure database, accessed 5/21/08]
The SEC Announced That BP Was "Indirectly Subsidizing A Terrorist Haven." The Securities and Exchange Commission listed British Petroleum as having links to "countries designated as state sponsors of terror." Defending his decision to publish the names of companies doing business with Iran, SEC Chairman Christopher Cox said, "No investor should ever have to wonder whether his or her investments or retirement savings are indirectly subsidizing a terrorist haven or genocide state." [BBC, 7/6/07, SEC via The Jewish Policy Center, accessed 5/21/08]
Posted by BagdadsHere2 at 03:12 PM
I still want to know why people already on a terrorist watchlist were allowed to learn how to fly planes and not land them in our country. These people were on that list long before they were issued student visas.
Posted by rudy654 at 03:14 PM : Jun 14, 2008
Ask CLINTON. All this happened under Bill Clintons watch.
So if I understand correctly, Bush passed all of these laws against dealing with Iran, but the rich and mighty patriots of our country, including McCain, have found a way around those prohibitions through a middleman in Dubai.
I will also ask this of the man who appointed PNAC signees to his cabinet.
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