U.S. Edition
NEW YORK (CNN) – A week after traveling to London for meetings and fund-raisers, Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani moved to further increase his foreign policy standing Wednesday as he met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.
The private meeting happened at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, as the United Nations General Assembly sessions wound down.
Giuliani did not comment afterwards, but his campaign called the meeting a "productive exchange of ideas."
"The Mayor was clear in his support of a unified Iraq, indicating that if he is President he will keep an American presence there for as long as is necessary," a campaign spokeswoman said.
“President Talabani explained the status of what is happening in Iraq by region – it was an optimistic report. The President also detailed the historical relationship between Northern Iraq, Iran and Syria.”
– CNN Political Desk Editor Steve Brusk
Giuliani finally realises that he lacks international politics experience. But spending 30 minutes with the UK prime minister and the Iraq president alone do not make Giuliani an experienced federal or internatinal politician.
Giuliani's political experience draws from being a former city mayor, without any experience in state, federal or international politics.
American voters will find him as phoney.
Is he running for US President or is he running for global dictator, why must he meet with every foreign leader, he hasn't won yet and us Republicans should now be questioning if he is capable of making a concise decision other than things about 9/11.
Hope his campaign comes crumbling down.
Anyone but Rudy 08!
I must say that the Rudy is just one busy little bee. Across the pond,Iraq, it is so bloody hard to keep track of the little fella. I guess he has some devious little plan going on in that noggin of his. I sure hope that it's a good one because everyone else seems to be campaigning in the U.S.
Sure Rudy, agree with the "no-government of Iraq". That's a plan if I ever heard one. Sounds like "Stay The Course" to me.
If Im the president of Iraq and my name is Talabani, I'm changing it . That's like the German president being named Mr. Nazi.
Hope people are paying attention to the "unified Iraq" and "as long as necessary." Most intelligent people are deciding that the only way to a PEACEFUL Iraq is to let the different peoples have their own spots. And if he is elected, I see us in Iraq forever-just as we are in Korea. We cannot afford to put this man in office! Anyone but Rudy!
Good grief, this guy is worthless. Give all responsibilities to the states, but keep the war going for the country. He has no original ideas to help our country whatsoever. This guy would be a bigger mistake than Bush was.
Ignorance is the only reason he is doing well so far. People who don't pay attention and notice his name above all others. People will associate him with 911 and the sympathy from that tragic day. I hope people wake up in time to know what a vote for him would do to our country.
I wonder if his cell phone rang during the meeting? I bet he answered. He's a complete joke.
Uh Rudy, the Iraq Study Group already had their meetings, are you trying to cram for the final? Pop quiz tomorrow!
lol I bet Iraq wondering how our country got to be so great. All the idiots we call leaders hes been talking to. Now hes sees the next possible idiot to run our country.
If you thought that Bushisms were funny, just think about Giulianiisms for a moment...
Interesting that Guiliani indicates to Iraq Pres. Talabani that he as Pres. would keep American presence in Iraq as long as necessary. Sounds like GWB, no plan, just stay the course. I suggest Guiliani go to Iraq "as long as necessary".
Rudy needs to meet with all the world leaders – as he will be sworn in as president in 2009...we need a moderate – and the Democrats are hedging their bets that we all are left wingers (or socialsts) – and the majority of the Republicans are betting we are right wingers...this country is diverse..we need someone in the middle..a true moderate....not like a Bill Clinton "forced" moderate -