An Unexpedtedly Positive Response from the Post

A Boost From Mr. Bush
Iraq's new democratic government deserves a chance to succeed.

Washington Post
Editorial
Wednesday, June 14, 2006; Page A22

PRESIDENT BUSH delivered an important demonstration of American support for Iraq's new democratic government in his visit to Baghdad yesterday. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki represents the best and maybe last hope that a national government can stem sectarian bloodshed, defeat Islamic terrorist organizations and die-hard defenders of Saddam Hussein, and make economic recovery possible. He has formed a unity cabinet, appointed a well-qualified defense minister and spelled out the right agenda, including an imminent campaign to pacify Baghdad with tens of thousands of Iraq's newly trained troops. But Mr. Maliki desperately needs international help to turn the tide of violence and chaos. Mr. Bush's appearance, and his assurance that America "will keep its word," should reassure Iraqis who have feared that the United States would precipitously withdraw rather than defend the country's first truly democratic government.

U.S. support, of course, cannot be unqualified, and it certainly cannot ensure success: Mr. Bush rightly told Mr. Maliki that "the future of your country is in your hands." The president spoke of the decisions the Iraqi cabinet must make, which include how to neutralize the militias maintained by several of the coalition's parties and whether and how to revise the constitution so as to share oil revenue fairly and prevent Iraq's breakup into sectarian ministates. If those decisions are wrong, or don't get made in the coming months, there will be little the Bush administration can do to rescue the country or the U.S. mission.

Excuse me, did the world just flip on its axis? Since when is the Post given to realistic and reasoned analyses of the actions of this President? Well, after so much criticism from me, credit where credit is due. The Post has it absolutely right. The motives for the President's trip was to lend support and aid to the fledgeling Al Maliki government in Iraq.

Even blind pigs find an acorn once and a while. WaPo, welcome to reality.

Full Story: Washington Post Actually Gets One Right

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