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Iraqi President: U.S. Needed One More Year

By Jeralyn, Section War In Iraq
Posted on Sat Sep 16, 2006 at 05:18:17 AM EST
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The President of Iraq , Jalal Talabani, arrived in Aspen yesterday, a guest of the Forstmann Little conference. Today he spoke with PBS moderator Charlie Rose at the Maroon Creek Club.

Talabani spoke hopefully about the prospect for peace in Iraq and estimated that the U.S. military would be needed for approximately one more year before violence abates to a level that Iraqi forces can handle it on their own, according to an attendee who requested anonymity because all discussions at the Forstmann Little conference are meant to be confidential.

What kind of security was required for Talabani?

Talabani flew into Grand Junction's Walker Field on a 757 jet at about 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, according to KREX-TV. From there, a motorcade consisting of more than 15 vehicles and an ambulance wheeled the president to Aspen, where it was spotted driving through the Roaring Fork Valley approximately two hours later.

Aspen is crawling with Secret Service agents -- a ResortQuest employee said 26 Aspen properties were booked for 38 agents through his agency -- as well as sniper teams, and other heavily armed forces, law enforcement officers said.

Where to next?

He is staying at a downtown hotel in Aspen and is expected to depart Sunday. The Associated Press is reporting Talabani will travel to New York and then Washington for a meeting with Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice next week.

Who else is in Aspen for the conference?

Today, Prince Turki al-Faisal, the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States; Christiane Amanpour, CNN chief international correspondent; Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, crown prince and commander in chief of the Bahrain Defense Force; and Dr. Vali Nasr, a Naval professor, will analyze the Middle East.

Other attendees include Grand Slam champion Monica Seles, tennis coach Nick Bollettieri, General Colin Powell, former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), General John Abizaid and journalist Bob Woodward.

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    Iraqi President: U.S. Needed One More Year | 9 comments (9 topical)
    Re: Iraqi President: U.S. Needed One More Year (none / 0) (#2)
    by profmarcus on Sat Sep 16, 2006 at 06:35:57 AM EST
    what is the "Forstmann Little conference..." who's behind it...? who's paying...? And, yes, I DO take it personally

    Re: Iraqi President: U.S. Needed One More Year (none / 0) (#3)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Sep 16, 2006 at 06:49:54 AM EST
    Prof - Read the link:
    The Forstmann Little conference is an annual affair that draws titans of industry, politicians, four-star generals, sports stars and A-list celebrities. It is an offshoot of Forstmann Little and Co.,
    In a lunchtime discussion with PBS moderator Charlie Rose at the Maroon Creek Club
    , And anything with Charlue Rose in it can't be too far to the right. :-)

    Re: Iraqi President: U.S. Needed One More Year (none / 0) (#5)
    by Repack Rider on Sat Sep 16, 2006 at 08:20:14 AM EST
    Sounds like a man with a year to live.

    Re: Iraqi President: U.S. Needed One More Year (none / 0) (#1)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Sat Sep 16, 2006 at 09:17:59 AM EST
    That's two whole "Friedmans" (6 month periods) from now. Things are getting worse. Up until now (and for the past 3 years) the violence was supposed to level off in ONE Friedman. Now it is supposed to take TWO Friedmans (or one Talibani, a year long period). That's progress, Iraqi Occupation-style.

    Re: Iraqi President: U.S. Needed One More Year (none / 0) (#6)
    by desertswine on Sat Sep 16, 2006 at 12:04:23 PM EST
    Yeah, that's what we all need... one more year.

    Re: Iraqi President: U.S. Needed One More Year (none / 0) (#8)
    by Ted on Sat Sep 16, 2006 at 03:04:46 PM EST
    03 August 2006 ---- BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani predicted Wednesday that Iraqi forces would take over security functions in all of the country's provinces by year's end even as thousands of U.S. troops began an attempt to reimpose order on an unruly capital and than 50 Iraqis were killed in attacks across the country.

    Re: Iraqi President: U.S. Needed One More Year (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Sep 16, 2006 at 04:51:56 PM EST
    Essential, though, to hear Iraqi voices on this. Any other Iraqis of repute saying the same thing? And how does Talibani address critics' arguments for immediate coitus interruptus? What are good sources for Iraqi intelligenstia's viewpoints? Thanks.

    Re: Iraqi President: U.S. Needed One More Year (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Sep 17, 2006 at 08:38:15 AM EST
    Theres colors on the street Red, white and blue People shufflin their feet People sleepin in their shoes But theres a warnin sign on the road ahead Theres a lot of people sayin wed be better off dead Dont feel like satan, but I am to them So I try to forget it, any way I can.

    Re: Iraqi President: U.S. Needed One More Year (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Sep 18, 2006 at 08:58:03 PM EST
    I was actually IN Aspen this weekend, staying at the St. Regis, the same hotel as the "titans of industry, politicians, four-star generals, sports stars and A-list celebrities." Oddly enough, they were nowhere to be seen. I did, however, see President Talabani's security force and his motorcade - some of the scariest looking men I've ever seen. Call me crazy, but doesn't it seem irresponsible for Talabani to leave his country and mingle with the rich and famous while his people are "moments away from a civil war"???? Oh, I forgot, he's not really running the country anyway - Bush is doing that for him. Maybe by this time next year he'll be too busy to play in Aspen. One can only hope.

    Iraqi President: U.S. Needed One More Year | 9 comments (9 topical)