Obama, Malik Steps Towards A better

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq, marking the end of a nine-year war, began work to define a postwar relationship, pledging to cooperate on a range of military and civilian initiatives.

The two leaders met in Washington on Monday, as the final U.S. troops prepare to exit Iraq before the end of the year.

The full contours of the new U.S.-Iraq relationship aren't yet clear. The two leaders worked to define the role of U.S. military trainers and to specify ways of dealing with disagreements over foreign policy.

One such situation is in Syria, where Mr. Maliki declined during a news conference to agree with President Obama's demand that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad step aside.

Both leaders made clear that they expected to work closely together going forward. In a sign of the future relationship, the Obama administration notified Congress on Monday of its intent to sell Iraq a second package of 18 F-16 fighter planes.

Americans, including contractors and uniformed military personnel, will help train Iraqi pilots, in what an administration official called a good example of how the military relationship will unfold going forth.

"As we end this war and as Iraq faces its future, the Iraqi people must know that you will not stand alone," Mr. Obama told his counterpart at a joint news conference. "You have a strong and enduring partner in the United States of America."Mr. Maliki's visit is the first in a string of events this week meant to highlight the end of the Iraq war, a moment the president is emphasizing as a promise both made and kept. On Tuesday, Mr. Obama will conduct interviews with local television news stations about the war's end. On Wednesday, he delivers an address to troops at Fort Bragg, N.C.Mr. Obama built his presidential campaign on his early opposition to the war, but on Monday, he declined to say whether he still believes it was a "dumb" war. Rather, he honored the service of the nearly 4,500 American troops who perished and thousands of others wounded.

"In the coming days, the last American soldiers will cross the border out of Iraq, with honor and with their heads held high. After nearly nine years, our war in Iraq ends this month," Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Obama said U.S. military officials would continue working to train Iraqi forces in the future, but left unclear whether the training would be inside Iraq or elsewhere.

Earlier, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the U.S. will always welcome a continued security relationship with the Middle Eastern country.

"For the first time in over eight years, no U.S. troops will be preparing to deploy to Iraq. We will have no bases in Iraq. The war is over and the troops are coming home," Mr. Carney said.

After their joint appearance, Mr. Maliki offered a measure of thanks by visiting Arlington National Cemetery with Mr. Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and American military leaders.

The Iraqi leader stood at attention while the Iraqi national anthem and then the Star Spangled Banner were played, then participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
news source :  
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203430404577094314121721448.html

Categories: Malik Steps Towards A better , Obama , obama and maliki