Biden visits Iraq over Fourth of July weekend
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Baghdad Thursday, where he will underscore Washington's commitment to a drawdown of American forces there, the White House said.
Biden is to meet with Iraqi and U.S. military officials and will also speak with troops. He is expected to deliver a speech to troops on Saturday, the Fourth of July, and may visit another city.
The trip comes a couple of days after U.S. combat troops withdrew from urban centers in the country, and left security duties in cities like Baghdad, Mosul, Basra and other communities to Iraqi security forces.
That move is part of a bilateral U.S.-Iraqi security agreement that calls for all U.S. troops to depart Iraq by the end of 2011.
Among the officials Biden will meet are President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Parliament Speaker Ayad al-Samarrai.
Biden will discuss with Iraq's leaders the importance of achieving the political progress that is necessary to ensure the nation's long-term stability.
It is Biden's second trip to Iraq this year; but his first as vice president.
(updated 1:30 pm ET with additional information)
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I knew someone from the administration would be traveling to the region around the 4th. This should be a great morale booster.
Way to go Joe!
Just who the troops want to see... stumblin bumblin Joe !
So?I got more troops killed for nothing than he did.nanana
Yes, I agree with Dutch this will be a great morale booster for the insurgents, send Biden since he was in full support of the operation from the start. He had better watch out or he may get the Clinton treatment and mysteriously meet his demise at the hands of the enemy....
One way to get rid of the man. Send him on an "important" assignment. At least he knows more than Hillary and Barrack regarding foreign affairs and that is not a compliment. Amateur hour at the White House
I hope Joe understands this is IRAQ and isn't hoping to meet with ousted Honduran leader, Zelaya!
Joe needs to go back to that diner where he talks to his constituents regularly... you know... the one that closed 15 years ago?
I'd be willing to wager the troops would rather see Vince McMahon and the pro wrestlers than Mumbles McBiden.
I support our imperialist storm troopers! I spent 2 trillion dollars on a war and I didn't even get any lousy oil.
I thought we departed Baghdad..... who's still there for Joe to see?
They dont want to see him......
OMG Try to keep this guys foot away from his mouth.
Indeed this should be a morale booster to our troops, Dutch, but also to the Iraqi government as well. This can be done and I think it is imperative that our government should be supportive by sending top officials to assure the troops and the Iraqis that we are working with the government not just leaving them "high and dry." We must feel that we have taught their armed forces to handle the job as well as the government... therefore, we can leave with a clear conscience and trust that this nation is ready to support her own freedom. This is as it should be.
Bob, Joe would not be in the position he is in, if we had not voted for him! He may misspeak now and then (but NOTHING compared to Geo. Bush), he has the wisdom and the experience to handle the job; otherwise, Barack Obama would not have chosen him. He is NO Sarah Palin, praise be to the Creator!
hope he stays there for good
Why ever would they announce this prior????
Joe, please stay there.
can never find a terrorist when you need one
Hopefully he'll lose his passport to get back.
Joe Biden is a military father. He understands the troops. Happy 4th to all of our troops.
bob in pa
you are obviously not very informed about mr. biden. hes sharp. much sharper than your boy bush!!!
Remember V.P. Biden's son is in Iraq also as well as many other brave American soldiers. I send my regards to all of them.
Say Bob??? I believe I remember a Biden son shipping out last year
Could you perhaps check your nastiness at the door?
This comment is for the haters that invade the blogs continuously. It seems to me that you negative people wake up every single morning and kick the dog, slap your kids, throw things and look at yourselves in the mirror and spit.
I am so sick of reading the hatred, bias and racism in these blogs.....You negative people would never be happy with anything....You sit and blog about how bad things are, but you sure didn't blog when Bush was killing our kids over in Iraq and ruining our economy day by day....WHERE WAS YOUR HATRED WHEN THIS COUNTRY WAS COLLAPSING DURING THE LATTER PARTS OF BUSHY'S REIGN? You all make me sick.....Grow up and get a life....You surely don't know what you are beatching about.
boy as if these troops have not been through enough hw will say something stupid as usual, at least it was not pelosi she would probably really be scared at the sight of her
So staffers had to remove chairs in Erie because no one cared enough to show up yesterday...Wonder how many troops will have to be ordered to meet with him?