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Forum Spin Doctor
Talabani: Iraqi forces should be ready to begin taking over from coalition troops end of next year
By MARTA FALCONI - Associated Press Writer
ROME - (AP) Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said Tuesday that his
country's forces should be ready to begin taking over from coalition troops
around the end of next year.
Talabani, who spoke to reporters following a meeting with Italian
Premier Silvio Berlusconi, also reiterated that any decision to withdraw
foreign troops from Iraq should be made after consultation with and
agreement from Iraqi authorities.
"Toward the end of 2006, our forces should be able to gradually
replace coalition forces," Talabani said.
He said that "war is not the best way, but it was the only way to
topple Saddam Hussein" and end "the annihilation against the Iraqi people."
Berlusconi, a strong ally of U.S. President George W. Bush, defied
domestic opposition to the war and sent about 3,000 troops to Iraq after the
ouster of Saddam in 2003. Italy is now gradually pulling out its contingent.
In comments published by an Italian daily earlier this week,
Talabani said a premature withdrawal of Italian troops from his country
would be catastrophic and that the presence of multinational forces in Iraq
was vital.
Talabani is on a weeklong visit to Italy, which includes talks with
the country's top officials and a meeting at the Vatican with Pope Benedict
XVI.
The Italian troops, stationed in the southern Iraqi city of
Nasiriyah, were sent to help with reconstruction of the country. On Tuesday,
Berlusconi pointed to the troops' work in helping train Iraqi police forces
and staff for Iraqi elections and build infrastructure.
Also present at the meeting at the premier's office in Rome was
Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini. Later in the day, Talabani met
with opposition leader Romano Prodi, the center-left candidate for premier
at a general election next year in Italy.
By MARTA FALCONI - Associated Press Writer
ROME - (AP) Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said Tuesday that his
country's forces should be ready to begin taking over from coalition troops
around the end of next year.
Talabani, who spoke to reporters following a meeting with Italian
Premier Silvio Berlusconi, also reiterated that any decision to withdraw
foreign troops from Iraq should be made after consultation with and
agreement from Iraqi authorities.
"Toward the end of 2006, our forces should be able to gradually
replace coalition forces," Talabani said.
He said that "war is not the best way, but it was the only way to
topple Saddam Hussein" and end "the annihilation against the Iraqi people."
Berlusconi, a strong ally of U.S. President George W. Bush, defied
domestic opposition to the war and sent about 3,000 troops to Iraq after the
ouster of Saddam in 2003. Italy is now gradually pulling out its contingent.
In comments published by an Italian daily earlier this week,
Talabani said a premature withdrawal of Italian troops from his country
would be catastrophic and that the presence of multinational forces in Iraq
was vital.
Talabani is on a weeklong visit to Italy, which includes talks with
the country's top officials and a meeting at the Vatican with Pope Benedict
XVI.
The Italian troops, stationed in the southern Iraqi city of
Nasiriyah, were sent to help with reconstruction of the country. On Tuesday,
Berlusconi pointed to the troops' work in helping train Iraqi police forces
and staff for Iraqi elections and build infrastructure.
Also present at the meeting at the premier's office in Rome was
Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini. Later in the day, Talabani met
with opposition leader Romano Prodi, the center-left candidate for premier
at a general election next year in Italy.