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Obama: We are not going let Iraq stand alone
Obama said he and al-Maliki had “tactical disagreements” on Syria but shared the goals of free expression there without violence. Obama said he had no doubt that Iraq was acting in its own interests and not under the meddling influence of Iran. Tehran is Syria’s main backer.
Obama also acknowledged that the United States is pressing Iran to return a U.S. surveillance drone captured by the country’s armed forces.
State TV in Tehran reported Monday that Iranian experts were in the final stages of recovering data from it. The president would not comment on the national security implications for the United States, citing classified intelligence.
But he said of the drone: “We have asked for it back. We’ll see how the Iranians respond.”
Obama spoke repeatedly of Iraq as a nation demanding respect, describing it as a sovereign country and an equal partner. And al-Maliki said his nation still welcomed help, such as in drawing on American and other outside expertise so that Iraq can better exploit its own wealth, particularly in oil.
Yet significant questions remain over the details of the security relationship between the U.S. and Iraq once all Americans troops are withdrawn. Iraqi leaders have said they want U.S. military training assistance for their security forces but have been unable to agree on what type of help they’d like or what protections they would be willing to give American trainers.
About 1 million U.S. troops have cycled through Iraq since the war began.
Following their meetings at the White House, Obama and al-Maliki paid respects to the fallen at Arlington National Cemetery.
At times, Obama’s language had the echoes of President George W. Bush, particularly in the potential for Iraq to help transform its part of the world. “Our goal is simply to make sure that Iraq succeeds, because we think a successful, democratic Iraq can be a model for the entire region,” Obama said.
To all those who served in Iraq and to their families, Obama said the United States maintains a “moral obligation to all of them, to build a future worthy of their sacrifice.”
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
