BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) – Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama did not urge Iraqi officials to delay a decision on a security agreement with the United States, Iraq's foreign minister told CNN on Sunday.
The statement by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari refutes a recent published report and a statement by Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin that Obama tried to influence Iraqi politicians negotiating with the United States to score political points.
Fact Check: What did Obama tell the Iraqis?
Obama "never, ever discouraged us not to sign the agreement," Zebari said. "I think this was misrepresented, and I have clarified this case in a number of interviews back in the United States recently."
The Washington Times reported Friday that in June, Obama told Iraqi leaders in Baghdad that an agreement between the United States and the leaders to allow U.S. troops to stay in the country after 2008 should not go into effect unless it had congressional approval.
The newspaper quoted Samir Sumaidaie, the Iraqi ambassador to the United States, about a June 16 telephone conversation between Zebari and Obama.
But the article did not contain a comment from Zebari.
The campaign of Obama's Republican rival, Sen. John McCain, argued that Obama's call interfered with U.S. efforts to reach a "status of forces agreement" with the Iraqi government. The United States and Iraq have yet to announce an agreement despite numerous reports that one was near.
During a Friday fund-raiser in Madeira, Ohio, Palin said Obama tried to influence the negotiations "in a way that would set back America's cause there, while advancing his campaign here."
From CNN Politics
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wow she is unbelievable. Please tell her to stop talking!
And Mrs. Palin calls herself a Christian? hypocrite!!!
They write Palin read. Period. This woman is a disgrace to higher Politics. The Media love it, it's nothing but fodder coverage to them.
This country definately don't need "Mavericks" in the White House right now. Palin is already lying to you, she's showing her true character.
Liers being replaced with liers will be this country's demise.
Is there such a thing as a "lying reformer"?
Geesh! The "Mavericks" tout reform....but their whole campaign is based on lies. McCain promised to run a decent and honorable campaign. These two have no credibility left. Honestly, why do voters support them?
To Patriot:
1) You don't have a clue regarding what a patriot is – it's just an attempt to make your inane comment seem somehow credible. [Now that’s PATHETIC!]
2) Everyone in the world is watching the political scene – except those people worshiping Obama and those with a negative IQ – KNOW that MOST of the SIGNIFICANT DECISIONS that are going to be made in the area of WORLD AFFAIRS are ON HOLD until the world sees who America's next KING will be.
3) It's just a FACT that no DIPLOMAT is going to come out and say it, especially since Obama said it would NOT be a wise thing to put out there.
4) Samir Sumaidaie is but ONE person in the Iraqi leadership, a minor one at that, who, like most Arabs, is towing the Obama line because he is one of their own...
Patriot... Grow a brain and then learn how to use it!
It won't stop Palin and McCain from continuously using this until the election, you betcha
The Mccain/Palin can'nt not be trusted!! Sarah Palin Lies she Lied about Obama "Pals around with Terrioists to rally her Republican base. Sarah Palin was found GUILTY OF ABUSED OF POWER!!! how can anyone trust Republicans!!!! Mccain/Palin will take this bad behavior to the White House along with Lies and corruptions we the people are tied of this!!! We must vote Obama/Biden
Palin has a very long record of not reading entire documents and had a behind the scenes nick name of "Bullit Point Sarah" as it is well known she is not a fan of reading documents from start to finish.You would think a VP candidate would not get her facts from news papers without getting solid back up facts before speaking to America about a news papers views and stories.Yeah thats good experience .Hard to believe Hockey fans would boo her for all her lies and hate last week
WHERE ARE ALL THE MCCAIN/PALIN SUPPORTERS HIDING? Your'e not ashamed of your candidates like everyone else is, are you?
I swear, if Obama doesn't win after all the crap and hypocrisy that is the McCain/Palin ticket, it will prove that racism is still all too prevalent in America – and I am a white guy saying this.
I don't know how anyone can take Palin seriously and as a result trust McCain.
Maybe if McCain stuck to his guns and chose Lieberman, he would be able to win swing voters, but as of now, I think he will be lucky if he wins Utah.
Sarah Palin is fostering hatred, racism & lies. Which reminds the inviornment in Germany between WW 1 & 2 with terrible economic situation like present happening in USA & gobally. We are now in two wars with bad economic situation. I worried that this kind hatred, racism & lies may help the rise of facism. This must be stopped.
AMERICA WILL NOT GO FOR THE LIES!!!OBAMA BIDEN. THE 1 PERCENT JUMP IS THE 1% WHO ARE NOT INFORMED & BELIEVE THE LIES. IT'S ALMOST OVER. McCAIN PALIN ARE JUST ABOUT DONE!!!!!
good ole pitbull Sarah continues to exemplify to all people with a thinking conscience her utter inability to govern anything on a national or international level. It was obvious why she was chosen, and it is increasingly clear that her real talent lies in riling up hostile reactions from an uninformed audience who appear to read as little as her.
Obama/Biden 08
Phillys booing Palin: priceless! And well deserved.
Well there you go. The McCainiacs distorting reality yet again.
Go Obama!
Well let me see here. Palin was cited in a state investigators report for abuse of power and a violation of state ethics law. The McCain campaign puts out another LIE about Obama.
Who is it that America should REALLY TRUST?
McCain I used to respect you, but you have let your blind ambition to be President take away any respect I had for you.
Obama/Biden '08!!!
When are we going to here the truth from Palin. It's becoming a mockery to Christians.
I think this whole McCain/Palin think is a scam. My fellow Americans this is the time we should stand strong, this is the time we should unite and when we choose, we should choose the write candidate. Lets look at the so called McCain/Palin whatever, anytime they open their mouth to talk I feel sorry for all Americans. It is a shame. Sarah you are just a ............ why cant you go back and be a mother that might help you in the race to free a child that will be a man and flew in search of a life.
When issomeone going to call PALIN on the carpet for all this lyning.
Maverick...I think not.
IT DOESN'T MATTER!!!!! The truth is- Obummer and friends will lead us into Socialism with their programs. Give the McCain Presidency a chance. McCain is not a died-in-the-wool Republican, nor a Democrat-Socialist. Vote McCain!!!!
If I had a nickel for every lie they have been caught in...
Why do I comment on these things if CNN is not going to post them? I've read the policies and nothing I write about is as bad as some of the other things on here. I know that everything cannot be posted, but, out of about 20 these past few days I only got one? Is it a prerequisite to have a low IQ in order to be posted or just that you have to be mad and HOLLER!? How about something a little more balanced everyone can read?
Wow, what a surprise, the McCain and Palin camp LIES AGAIN.
If McCain and Palin win will because they lied to the American people and there were too many naive people who had the wool pulled over their eyes.
McCain and Palin are dishonorable, plain and simple.
McCain is right. The American people deserve a candidate that will tell them the truth. Please send Palin back home to answer her ethical dilemma and help out your downballot candidates.
Johnny you're done.
Just more of Obama's CHANGE, he keeps changing his tune when called out on any issue. What a leader that will make for us.
Yet another lie. So many silly lies that can be easily verified. But then when there are folks who think Obama is an Arab.. maybe it pays to lie.