White House Press Corps.org: Background Briefing by a Senior Administration Official on Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki's Visit

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Background Briefing by a Senior Administration Official on Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki's Visit
— Saturday, July 22, 2006 —

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Q There was an emphasis when Bush was in Baghdad that the future of Iraq was in the hands of the Iraqis. Do you all worry that Maliki's visit here will again fuel the perception that the United States is holding the reins on this whole thing?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'm not concerned about that because I think that there's plenty of room for that to be true, while it also to be true that we are heavily invested in the success of Iraq. And so we have enormous interests in how it's progressing and in supporting its government and supporting the Prime Minister in his efforts to be successful.

So I think that the two messages of partnership and commitment on the part of the United States for leaders who are doing the right things, who are making the right choices is compatible with -- ultimately it's up to Iraqis to make the situation in Iraq work. And I think that's more true than ever given the increasing sectarian challenges.

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Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 5:20 AM

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