Reuters AlertNet Lite - US envoy says Bush still committed to Iraq

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US envoy says Bush still committed to Iraq

08 Nov 2006 19:26:38 GMT
Source: Reuters

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Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki looks at pictures of residents believed to have been executed during the regime of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, at his office in the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad November 8, 2006. Family members of the deceased who brought the pictures met with Maliki. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
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Background

• Iraq in turmoil

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(Updates with Bush comments, Rumsfeld resignation)

By Ibon Villelabeitia

BAGHDAD, Nov 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador in Baghdad told Iraqis on Wednesday President George W. Bush would work with Democrats to succeed in Iraq, but many here doubted Democrat election gains would bring respite from violence.

Bush himself said in Washington his Republican Party's election defeat did not mean the United States would withdraw prematurely but conceded his Iraq policy was "not working well enough, fast enough".

He also announced at a news conference that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, closely associated with the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, was stepping down, to be replaced by former CIA director Robert Gates.

Seeking to reassure Iraqi leaders there would be no major policy change after the Republicans lost control of the House of Representatives, envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said:"The president is the architect of U.S. foreign policy."

Iraqi leaders say they need more U.S. help to quell mounting sectarian violence, although polls suggest most Iraqis would like to see foreign troops leave soon.

"He (Bush) is the commander in chief of our armed forces. He understands what's at stake in Iraq," Khalilzad said.

"He is committed to working with both houses of the American Congress to get support needed for the mission in Iraq to succeed," he told a reception attended by government officials, Iraqi legislators and embassy personnel.

Upset over a war that has caused the deaths of at least 2,839 U.S. troops and tens of thousands of Iraqis since the invasion to remove Saddam Hussein, U.S. voters gave the Democrats a huge victory in the House. Democrats were also on the verge of capturing the Senate, pending late results.

Iraqis tired of living with the daily threat of death squads and car bombs said they doubted any U.S. party could repair their wrecked country.

"The Americans have ruined everything and the only solution is to let Iraqis deal with this mess," said Mohamed Husni, 24.

Abdullah, a 28-year-old computing student, agreed: "Iraq is long ruined and American policy is fixed, whichever party takes control of Congress. If the Democrats can finally bring us some security they are welcome, but I believe no one can succeed."

MALIKI: NO MAJOR CHANGE

Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who has clashed with Washington over perceived pressure from U.S. officials to meet benchmarks of progress, said in an interview he did not believe Tuesday's election would lead to a change in U.S. Iraq policy.

Maliki, struggling to contain sectarian violence and a raging Sunni Arab insurgency, has announced he plans to ask for an extension of a United Nations mandate authorising the presence of foreign troops in Iraq.

"I understand that America will always work for America's interest in its foreign policy. The relationship will not experience any major or dramatic change if new opinions surface after the elections," he said in an interview with the BBC filmed on Tuesday before the U.S. election was over.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said of Rumsfeld's departure: "This is an internal issue for the United States. We are dealing with an administration, not persons. We are committed to an understanding with the administration."

Bush, who has said he will consider changes in tactics but not strategy in Iraq, still has broad constitutional leeway in foreign affairs in the two years he has left in office.

Maliki also told the BBC that Saddam, sentenced to death on Sunday by an Iraqi court for crimes against humanity, could be hanged before the end of the year, comments that put political pressure on an appeals court reviewing the ousted leader's case.

Legal experts and officials close to the U.S.-backed court have said it could be months before Saddam is executed.

Maliki said on Wednesday he had met the families of some victims of Saddam and vowed he would take a tough line against those still loyal to Saddam's former Baath Party.

"The battle with terrorism is an extension of our battle with the Baath Party," he said, the day after news that a committee set up by U.S. authorities to purge former Baath Party officials from public life will recommend allowing most back to their jobs.

In continuing violence, the U.S. military announced the deaths of one soldier and one marine on Wednesday. (Additional reporting by Mussab Al-Khairalla and Claudia Parsons)

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Last updated:Wed Nov 8 19:27:43 2006