More Democracy in Action

Watch what happens when Iraqi President Jalal Talabani tries to suggest that US troops should start to withdraw from Iraq.

In an interview with the Washington Post (given on Monday) he said:

"We think that America has the full right to move some forces from Iraq to their country because I think we can replace them [with] our forces... In my opinion, at least from 40,000 to 50,000 American troops can be [withdrawn] by the end of this year."

The immediate reaction:

After the White House and Pentagon were contacted for comment, however, a senior adviser to Talabani called The Washington Post to say Talabani did not intend to suggest a specific timeline for withdrawal.

And a bit more reaction today:

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has said that no timetable will be set for the withdrawal of US troops. In a news conference in Washington with President George Bush, he said a timed pull-out could encourage terrorism.

And that's the fully independent opinion of the democratically elected President of the sovereign nation of Iraq. Can you smell the freedom?