Obama did not ask to delay security agreement, Iraqi FM says
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/10/12/art.obamaphi.gi.jpg caption="The Iraqi foreign minister weighed in Sunday on a stateside campaign trail controversy."]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."
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So much to be proud of, Republicans. So much...
You believe everything Obama says, and everything the media promotes him to be. Rather a lemming mentality I would say. You cannot ignore the mounting evidence that he is a demogogue and an talented orator but an empty suit nonetheless. Acorn ties as lawyer, lobbyist and community organizer; no vote or action only speeches on Iraq; questionable backing and promotion throughout he career – Rezko, Ayers, Wright and so on; running slick campaigns his only real accomplishment. If his candidacy achieves success off the back of a now nationalized economy, the we are in trouble. In light of his other activities am inclined to believe he very well may have tried to influence a delay in the Iraq timeline. His any means to an end philosophy defeated Hillary.
an AMERICAN CHRISTIAN INTELLIGENT and with MORAL VALUES will be elected PRESIDENT OF THIS UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA………BARACK HUSEIN OBAMA !!
THE REAL DEAL !!! !!! !!!
pitiful old warmonger and secessionist palin......it had to be the Honorable Iraqi Foreign Minister to call you on your BLATANT LIES.....what do you say now? you broke the law and still ranting and raving....why don't you go back to your family in Alaska ?.....did you like the treatment the fans gave you in Good Old Philly? it should give you a clue...
My wife and I are long time republicans, but with the lies McCain and Palin are telling, we cannot vote from them. So take 2 Florida votes away from McCain as of today.
Why does the modern day pharisees' party, continue to spew lies. The gov. of Alaska should be ashamed of herself for allowing the repubs, to use her in a propaganda campaign to discredit the Sen.Obama, and to insight riot invoking comments from their supporters. I thought that stating to kill someone (especially a presidential candidate) was against the law to some extent. How could any law abiding candidate not chastize the people who were shouting horrible things about the democratic party candidates. The modern day pharisees or republicans, should be ashamed of themselves for allowing such display of blatant discrimanating anger. For the gov. of Alaska to say that Senator Obama has been palling around with a domestic terrorist is not only a lie, it is her mean attempt to cause doubt about this man's patriotism, his ethics, his intelligence and his honor. She is a dangerous woman, because she seems to not care about the consequence of her statements, she only cares about taking the spot light off the presidential and vice presidential inability to come up with working solutions for the economic situation we are in.
Sarah Palin took her misinformation from the Washington Times owned by none other than Sun Myung Moon. Does it surprise you? Let McCain/Palin keep spewing that nonsense, it's all they've got left.
Palin needs to stop her rallies that are having the world laugh at the USA. The hate and rage she has developed by these spectators is dangerous to our security and unamerican. She is moraly corrupt and is inciting rage and ingorance. This is a christian woman? No this is not christian behavior.
Geez.
CONservatives really are con-men.
Palin is a puppet and is really a bad choice for McCain and the United States....after this election they should impeech her.
wow, I'm just astonished at this woman's inability to get the facts straight and the outright hatred she displays towards Obama. Say it ain't so Palin! Now Fox wants to air a whole documentary to discredit Obama and create more fear about him. I'm thoroughly disgusted over all of this crap.
Why did The Washington Times run this story without checking their sources? They report about a conversation between Zebari and Obama, and yet they don't bother to ask Zebari for clarification prior to printing. So their big game-changing story becomes a non-event based on poor journalism. But not before Palin has used it as fodder in her stump speeches, and hundreds of angry bloggers have declared Obama is a traitor.
Anybody who actually follows the lack of governmental unity-stability in Iraq would know that this is another Palin BS. But then she's neglected the needs of HER National Guard which in fact the VFA has documented as the worst in the nation.
She plays fantasy games of the worst kind.
CNN, maybe you should change the status of your "fact check" that said this issue "in dispute". Why do you continue to give credence to stories that are not true? Why have you not talked about the thousands of voters being purged from the system instead of talking about stupid ACORN? Dead people on fake registrations can't vote. I think people need to know if they have been disenfranchised because of voter suppression. Give us news that matter to us!!!!
Will the MSM hold Palin accountable for the falsehoods she is feeding the American public? Will a journalist ask her to apologize to the american people for lying to them? let's see if that will happen.
I feel sorry for poor Hoshyar Zebari.
Guy is minding his own business, you know doing something like oh...dealing with being the Foreign Minister of Iraq...and all of a sudden he gets a phone call from CNN. Poor guy.
I would like Sarah Palin to *pronounce this man's name*. I would pay money for that.
I don't care how much they lie or abuse power. I don't care if they drive this economy into the ground and start 10 more wars. I just don't want to see Obama in the white house. He may have spent his life helping people find jobs, get off welfare and teaching constitutional law but still I don't think America is ready for a black President. Someone will kill him and that will put more shame on this great country. Most people in America now adays ain't racist, but I am.
secessionist palin.....the Philly fans gave you a clue.....leave town, please......as far as john's senate seat, the arizonans want him out as well
PALIn makes me so angry...how can u spit out down right liesss does she think were silly....i use to have respect for her....NO MORE
im insulted honestly...too many lies
what a trip? McLame and Fallin are the lowest of the low. when will their lies stop. have they no shame? This appears to be a flat out lie and misrepresentation of the facts. we voters must not get distracted by this hateful race stuff, either. better days are ah coming, can you hear it a million change agents getting to the polls and voting for B-Rock the next POTUS. send Fallin back to the tundra and McLame to you know where, it's really hot. C U in DC on JAN 20 its gonna be one heck of a party.