This should be taken with a grain of salt because it did not come from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, but from National Security Adviser, Mouwaffak al-Rubaie. This statement gives me pause:
Al-Rubaie spoke to reporters after briefing Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf on the progress of the government’s security efforts, and the talks.
Yesterday there was talk of a withdrawl timetable.
Yeah, if anything Maliki has to posture to look good. He isn’t in a position to demand anything.
Ultimately, they are politicians as well and have to play to their constituancey.
This should be a positive reflection on the great work our troops have done. I’m sure Patreus himself would love to see a timetable, or at least a reason for one.
NY-David