No one can set us timetable: Iraqi PM

Team Infidel

Forum Spin Doctor
Media: AFP
Byline: n/a
Date: 25 October 2006

BAGHDAD - Iraq's embattled prime minister rejected Wednesday the notion
that the United States or anyone else could set him a timetable to
stabilise his war-torn country.

"Everyone knows that this government is a government of the popular will
and no one may set a timetable for it," Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said
at a news conference in Baghdad.

"It is an elected government and only the people who elected it have the
right to speak about a timetable, or a change in policy," he added.

Maliki was speaking after the US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, said
that the government had agreed a programme of steps to reconcile the
country's warring factions and disarm illegal militias.

"Iraqi leaders have agreed to a timeline for making the hard decisions
needed to resolve these issues," the ambassador said, predicting that
Maliki would have a "national compact" in place within 12 months.

The US administration has been under pressure from domestic critics of the
war to pressure Maliki into taking greater responsibility for the worsening
security situation in his country.

The Iraqi leader said, however, that the plan was his own.

"We have a clear agenda," he said. "Within that is a reconciliation plan,
building up the the Iraqi armed forces and providing public services,
besides using force against terror.

"These are all studied policies and none of these policies should overwhelm
the others," he added.

"When we use force that does not mean the security process shall only be
based on using force. Security can be achieved through reconciliation,
reconstruction and dialogue," he said.

Nevertheless, he reiterated a long-held pledge to tackle Iraq's illegal
militias, saying: "We will strike hard against those who break the law and
endanger state security.

"There is no place for militias alongside the state. The existence of
militias harms the state and I've given instructions to our armed forces
that they be firm with them," he said.
 
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