Just in time for Bush's upcoming speech, al Maliki announces his new security plan. He's going to get tough, really tough. What a coincidence:
Iraq's prime minister promised on Saturday a new crackdown on sectarian gunmen who kill hundreds of people a week in Baghdad, but has yet to endorse any proposal from President George W. Bush to send in more American troops.Wonder if that additional $1 billion that The NY Times says Bush plans to spend in Iraq on "social programs" did anything to influence his decision.
In a pugnacious speech for Army Day, Nuri al-Maliki said a plan was in place for Iraqi forces to crush illegal armed groups "regardless of sect or politics" -- suggesting he may be ready to tackle militias loyal to his fellow Shi'ites, a key demand of Washington and of Saddam Hussein's once dominant Sunni minority.
His announcement, along with a defiant response to critics of his decision to hang Saddam a week ago, comes as Bush conducts a major reshuffle of commanders and diplomats in Iraq and prepares to unveil a new strategy next week that officials say may include a proposal to add 20,000 U.S. troops in Baghdad.
