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US and Iraq seek to heal strains US and Iraq seek to heal strains
(5 days later)
President Bush has held talks by video link with Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki.President Bush has held talks by video link with Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki.
The link-up follows several days of public disagreement between US and Iraqi officials, who blamed each other for Iraq's deepening crisis.The link-up follows several days of public disagreement between US and Iraqi officials, who blamed each other for Iraq's deepening crisis.
Mr Maliki said they agreed to speed up training of security forces, to accelerate the handover from US and other forces to the Iraqis.Mr Maliki said they agreed to speed up training of security forces, to accelerate the handover from US and other forces to the Iraqis.
The meeting follows his remarks on Friday that he was a friend of the US but not America's man in Iraq.The meeting follows his remarks on Friday that he was a friend of the US but not America's man in Iraq.
The Iraqi prime minister has blamed the US for the deteriorating security situation, saying they had failed to provide adequate equipment and training to the Iraqi forces.The Iraqi prime minister has blamed the US for the deteriorating security situation, saying they had failed to provide adequate equipment and training to the Iraqi forces.
US officials, meanwhile, have said Mr Maliki was not taking tough enough action against sectarian militias.US officials, meanwhile, have said Mr Maliki was not taking tough enough action against sectarian militias.
'Very happy''Very happy'
In a joint statement issued after the 50-minute video conference, the two leaders said they were "committed to the partnership" and would work in every way possible for a stable, democratic Iraq.In a joint statement issued after the 50-minute video conference, the two leaders said they were "committed to the partnership" and would work in every way possible for a stable, democratic Iraq.
White House spokesman Tony Snow said there were no strains in the US-Iraq relationship.White House spokesman Tony Snow said there were no strains in the US-Iraq relationship.
"The president is very happy, actually, with the way the prime minister is working," he said."The president is very happy, actually, with the way the prime minister is working," he said.
Mr Bush and Mr Maliki outlined three goals:Mr Bush and Mr Maliki outlined three goals:
  • Speeding up the training of Iraq's armed forces
  • Speeding up the training of Iraq's armed forces
  • Moving ahead with Iraq's control of its own forces
  • Moving ahead with Iraq's control of its own forces
  • Making the Iraqi government responsible for the country's security
  • Making the Iraqi government responsible for the country's security
    • Mr Maliki said a committee had been set up to deal with training, whose members would include the Iraqi defence, interior and security ministers as well as US forces commander Gen George Casey.Mr Maliki said a committee had been set up to deal with training, whose members would include the Iraqi defence, interior and security ministers as well as US forces commander Gen George Casey.
    The video conference followed a rare joint statement on Friday by Mr Maliki and US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, in which they stressed the need to work together to end the bloodshed.The video conference followed a rare joint statement on Friday by Mr Maliki and US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, in which they stressed the need to work together to end the bloodshed.
    TimetablesTimetables
    Divisions had emerged between the two countries earlier in the week after Mr Khalilzad outlined initiatives to try to stabilise Iraq, including a plan to reform Iraqi security ministries.Divisions had emerged between the two countries earlier in the week after Mr Khalilzad outlined initiatives to try to stabilise Iraq, including a plan to reform Iraqi security ministries.
    The US wants Iraqi security forces to take charge of security dutiesThe US wants Iraqi security forces to take charge of security duties
    He said the Iraqi government had agreed to develop a timeline for progress by the end of the year.He said the Iraqi government had agreed to develop a timeline for progress by the end of the year.
    At a joint news conference, the top US military commander in Iraq, Gen George Casey, said Iraqi security forces could be able to assume responsibility for the whole country within 18 months.At a joint news conference, the top US military commander in Iraq, Gen George Casey, said Iraqi security forces could be able to assume responsibility for the whole country within 18 months.
    Mr Maliki said at a news conference on Wednesday that no-one had the right to impose a timetable on his government.Mr Maliki said at a news conference on Wednesday that no-one had the right to impose a timetable on his government.
    US involvement in Iraq and the ongoing violence there have become key issues ahead of US mid-term elections, which take place next month.US involvement in Iraq and the ongoing violence there have become key issues ahead of US mid-term elections, which take place next month.