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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All this lies and mispresentation of Obama will come to and end on nov 4th.
Obama/biden 08
The Republicans are making stuff up? Not the Republicans! Oh yes the Republicans, remember they are the ones that made up the joke that Palin is qualified, too funny, ha ha ha.
I am so appaled at Sara Palin – her lies are showing, yet she continues on with lie after lie...stirring up hate filled mobs to the point of hysteria.
The republicans better step up and stop her, and McCain, from their lies and deceit.
Palin will start an all out war before this campaign is over!!!
As Obama stated during the 2nd Debate:
The Straight talk express has lost a wheel !!!!
I would further that sentiment by saying, the straight talk express has derailed...
One more lie from the crooked talk express!
Do they really think they can continue to spout this nonsense and not have it backfire?
Or maybe they think enough people are as moronic as the "Obama is an Arab" idiot.
Sarah Palin is a perfect study in contrast: absolutely beautiful on the outside and totally ugly on the inside.
So yet, another lie from the lips of Sarah Palin.
. Why am I not surprised?
I can't believe people are falling for her lies... and I can't wait until THAT ONE goes back to Alaska, for good.
Obama-Biden need to carry a lot of states and a lot of 2004 red states to show this country and all other countries that Americans knew that the Bush administration was trash and we're all making a real change.
MCCAIN-PALIN campaign race will go down in American MINDS and the History BOOKS as being the most despicable, desperate, divisive,
racist, ever, ever, run, which incited possible riots and hate thru America. And this is America, my friends! The authors
cannot wait to write about the atrocities committed by the Republicans
against their fellow Americans!!!! The ink may begin to dry the day after
OBAMA WINS!. In writing, we will be able to read about the injustices committed within the Republican "REGIME". under Bush!
McPain, ENOUGH! You two lie so much you are NOT worthy of being Christians.
There is a MUCH larger issue than this report…
And that is with Governor Palin as a potential Vice President ..she's just not that smart. No, offense it's just the truth. What other reason would the McCain campaign have for not ALLOWING her to do ANY more interviews without Senator McCain at her side??
THE REASON IS CLEAR.
Because she is not qualified and you can REALLY tell when you ask her questions that require spontaneous answers other than remembered talking points.
I ask you members of the Republican party..Do you REALLY want this type of person in the White House?? The last person we elected that was of average intelligence was….
George W Bush and look at the mess the world is in from that election!!
WHEN is she going to do interviews on CNN, ABC, NBC, MSNBC. How in the world are we allowing this woman to run for this office without going on the Sunday morning interview process??
LETS NOT LOWER THE BAR JUST BECAUSE IT'S A WOMAN (HILLARY HAD TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND DID VERY WELL NO MATTER WHAT STATION SHE WAS ON)…
DEMAND MORE INTERVIEWS ON OTHER STATIONS..FOX ALONE DOES NOT CUT IT!!!
thank you cnn for fact checking. please shine lights to disinfect what is not truth.
I read that in washington times... i knew it was crap. It's like some hiredhacks writes a smear piece just for Palin, Hannity and Rush to blather about.
How can anyone trust anything that comes out of Palin's mouth. It's lie after lie with her.
Another day, another Palin lie, and yet another McCain "economic plan"...
The Mccain campaign in one word: Erratic!
Palin caught in another lie.
I USED TO THINK THAT AMERICANS ARE THE MOST HONEST PEOPLE ON EARTH, BUT NOW I AM REALLY SURPRISED AT THE KIND OF POLITICS AMEERICANS ARE PLAYING THIS TIME AROUND. I BELIEVE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE GOOD JUDGMENT THEMSELVES EVEN WITHOUT SOMEONE LYING TO THEM?
ANYTHING coming from McCain-Palin campaign at this point should be admonished as lies.
Please, McCain, NO MORE BAG OF TRICKS!.Consider you and Palin,
done, like, cooked!
WHY DON'T YOU CNN EVER POST ANY OF MY COMMENTS? IS IT BEFORE THEY ARE INTELLIGENT AND APPEAL TO THE INTELECT?
Bush lied to you folks, now McSame and Palin are lying as well, very scary ticket. Fear, fear and more fear, that's the way you do it!! Do not moderate this message, please.
There we go again , Sarah Palin with her lies being once again debunked . Instead of her identifying herself as a hockey mom who`s only difference from a pitbull is lipstick , she more resembles a Dick Cheney , with push up bra , high heels , and Lipstick !!!!
Sarah , take Todd , and your dysfunctual family back to Moose- Head Alaska , or wherever the " heck " you come from , we`ve had eight years of lies , deceit , treason , ( Scooter Libby , Plame – Gate ) and now your lies , as confirmed also by " Trooper – Gate )
You are not what this country needs , we need unity , not devision .....
Obama is trying to hoodwink and bamboozle us.
Despicable campaign from a once honorable man.
Palin will be fine and go back to being a nobody governor of a tiny state but McCain has lost the respect of millions around the U.S. and, in doing so, his legacy. Desperation is an ugly, ugly undoing.
Wow, with winners like Steven and the rest of the bozos on this string, it's easy to see where Obama would "lead" us. Guess what, folks? You think the Iraqis wouldn't rather see a weak-kneed liberal in the Oval Office instead of stalwart defenders of our strength, freedom and national interests? If you had a shred of geopolitical savvy, you never want to leave Iraq ... but sadly, you simply throw tiny pebbles like whiny girls instead of understanding complex, multifaceted, long-range national strategy. Which is why you should lose this race. And if by some reason you fools succeed in electing Mr. Hussein Obama (why, oh why does that middle name offend and/or scare you? It's a fact, not a "lie"), we'll regroup for 2012 while watching you hand us a failed four-year tenure on a silver platter.