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Biden Makes Unannounced Trip to Iraq
Updated: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 11:10 AM CST
Published : Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 10:40 AM CST
As the United States prepares for withdrawal next month of the last U.S. combat troops in Iraq, Vice President Joe Biden landed in Baghdad Tuesday for an unannounced visit with remaining forces in the theater and top Iraqi officials.
Biden is co-chairing a meeting of the U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee and meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani, Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, and other political leaders.
He will also participate in, and deliver remarks during an event to commemorate the sacrifices and accomplishments of U.S. and Iraqi troops.
Biden was greeted on the tarmac in Baghdad by Amb. James Jeffrey and Gen. Lloyd Austin. The two were holding a briefing for the vice president at the U.S. embassy before calling it a night.
The vice president's visit follows tensions between the U.S. and Iraqi leaders over a Status of Forces Agreement, which ended with the U.S. scheduling a full pullout by the end of the year.
The White House says the visit will establish elements of cooperation on non-military matters, including diplomacy; trade, finance, energy, technology, transportation as well as defense and security for Iraq through its own mechanisms.
The trip is Biden's eighth to Iraq since becoming vice president.
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Updated: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 11:10 AM CST
Published : Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 10:40 AM CST
As the United States prepares for withdrawal next month of the last U.S. combat troops in Iraq, Vice President Joe Biden landed in Baghdad Tuesday for an unannounced visit with remaining forces in the theater and top Iraqi officials.
Biden is co-chairing a meeting of the U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee and meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani, Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, and other political leaders.
He will also participate in, and deliver remarks during an event to commemorate the sacrifices and accomplishments of U.S. and Iraqi troops.
Biden was greeted on the tarmac in Baghdad by Amb. James Jeffrey and Gen. Lloyd Austin. The two were holding a briefing for the vice president at the U.S. embassy before calling it a night.
The vice president's visit follows tensions between the U.S. and Iraqi leaders over a Status of Forces Agreement, which ended with the U.S. scheduling a full pullout by the end of the year.
The White House says the visit will establish elements of cooperation on non-military matters, including diplomacy; trade, finance, energy, technology, transportation as well as defense and security for Iraq through its own mechanisms.
The trip is Biden's eighth to Iraq since becoming vice president.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
