U.S. denies Petraeus has poor ties with Iraq PM (Reuters)

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

U.S. denies Petraeus has poor ties with Iraq PM
Sun Jul 29, 2007 8:20AM EDT

By Ross Colvin

BAGHDAD, July 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. military on Sunday
dismissed reports that the top U.S. general in Iraq, General
David Petraeus, had a stormy relationship with Iraq's prime
minister, but said the pair had "very frank talks".

Tensions have surfaced between Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki
and U.S. officials as he comes under increasing pressure from
Washington to speed up passage of legislation seen as crucial
to easing violence between the country's Shi'ite and Sunni
Arabs.

But a British newspaper reported on Saturday that the situation
had got so bad that Maliki had asked U.S. President George W.
Bush to remove Petraeus, who is directing Bush's new counter-
insurgency strategy.

"This is a totally fabricated story," said Petraeus's spokesman,
Colonel Steve Boylan.

"They have very frank, open, and perhaps direct conversations
and continue to do so. Based on what is at stake here, that is
what is needed and it should be expected that both are able to
have very open and frank dialogue," he said.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL29405446

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Related: Iraqi leader tells Bush: Get Gen Petraeus out - Daily Telegraph

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. "Frank talks?" Like Tommy Franks? Or ball park franks?

Frankly, we should get the hell out of there. Al-Maliki thinks he can handle things over there. Let's see if he can.

[C_U_L8R]

2. YES - As in a bucket of overcooked weiners

these bushweenies always seem to be in denial about one thing or another.

[unhappycamper]

3. Also related:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1464791&mesg_id=1464791

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. It never ends

[unhappycamper]

5. Sadly, I think you're correct. n/t