IRAQ: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden asks Iraq leaders for positive action to break political impasse and form a government

Record ID: 560057

  • Title: IRAQ: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden asks Iraq leaders for positive action to break political impasse and form a government
  • Date: 6th July 2010
  • Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (JULY 5, 2010) (REUTERS) (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) U.S. VICE-PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN MEETING WITH IRAQI PRESIDENT JALAL TALABANI AND U.S. DELEGATION ATTENDING TALKS U.S. VICE-PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN MEETING WITH IRAQI PRESIDENT U.S. VICE-PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN U.S. VICE-PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN MEETING WITH IRAQI PRESIDENT JALAL TALABANI AND U.S. DELEGATION ATTENDING TALKS U.S. AMBASSADOR IN IRAQ CHRISTOPHER HILL ATTENDING MEETING
  • Embargoed: 21st July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA6ZAQ4GNNC4AHA460Q614UYOJC
  • Story Text: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Monday (July 5) met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani as part of series of talks with Iraqi leaders locked in an impasse four months after an inconclusive vote and gently urged them to press on with forming a government.
    In talks with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and the top winner by votes in the March 7 election, ex-Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, Biden promised U.S. support for Iraq's democracy as it emerges from sectarian war but struggles to halt a stubborn insurgency.
    He said Washington had a long-term commitment to Iraq despite plans to end combat operations in August and withdraw completely next year, and cautioned Iraq against falling under the sway of other nations in the region.
    Talabani said the talks would cover a wide range of topics including efforts to speed up the process of forming government.
    "We warmly welcome our solemn friend, U.S. Vice-President Biden and we will discuss all the issues with him as a friend. I think that among important issues that we will discuss are current situation in Iraq, efforts to solve impasse here and the U.S.-Iraqi ties after the withdrawal of the American troops from Iraq," Talabani told reporters before talks.
    Talks on a coalition and picking a prime minister have made little headway since the ballot, raising concerns for stability as insurgents try to exploit the political vacuum through attacks to reignite all-out sectarian war.
    The continuing violence has raised questions about the U.S. military's plans to cut its numbers to 50,000 by Sept. 1 from 80,000 now, and end combat operations as it devotes all its efforts to training and assisting Iraqi police and troops.
    In a statement issued after his meeting with Biden on Sunday, Maliki said he expected political blocs to agree on the distribution of main government posts before the next parliamentary session, due on July 14. The prime minister is seeking a second term.
    In a statement that coincided with Biden's visit but did not mention him, fiery anti-U.S. Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al Sadr advised Maliki and Allawi to make sure their political steps followed an "Iraqi agenda, not an American one".
    Iraqi nationalism is on the rise on the eve of next year's U.S. withdrawal after more than seven years of occupation, and Biden and other U.S. officials have stressed they did not intend to pressure Iraqi politicians on the pace of coalition talks.
    They also played down any concerns they may have.
    A cross-sectarian bloc headed by Allawi took a two-seat lead in the March election on strong backing from Sunnis who view Allawi, despite his Shi'ite background, as a secular and strong leader who would counter Iranian influence.
    A union between the Shi'ite blocs, however, including Maliki's State of Law, is expected to beat Allawi's Iraqiya in the tussle to gain a governing majority.
    Sunnis could react angrily if Allawi fails to become prime minister, reinvigorating a wounded but still lethal insurgency.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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