Obama: Iraq Attacks Attempt To Derail Progress

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Sunday's "outrageous attacks" outside government offices in the Iraqi capital "reveal the hateful and destructive agenda of those who would deny the Iraqi people the future that they deserve."

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the "savage" suicide bombings attacks will not succeed in undermining Iraq's progress toward stability, self-reliance and justice based on the rule of law.

The White House said Obama spoke to Iraq's president, Jalal Talabani, and prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, about nine hours after the suicide bombings, which killed 136 people. The blasts struck near the Justice Ministry and city government offices in downtown Baghdad. They were the worst attacks in more than two years and came ahead of national elections in January.

Obama said the attacks were an attempt to stop progress in Iraq, but he said they were no match "for the courage and resilience of the Iraqi people and their determination to build strong institutions."

"The United States will stand with Iraq's people and government as a close friend and partner as Iraqis prepare for elections early next year, continue to take responsibility for their future, and build greater peace and opportunity," the president said in a statement. "Together, we will continue to work for lasting security, dignity and justice."

No group claimed responsibility immediately following the blasts, but the Shiite-dominated government has been a target of Sunni insurgents.

"These bombings serve no purpose other than the murder of innocent men, women and children, and they only reveal the hateful and destructive agenda of those who would deny the Iraqi people the future that they deserve," Obama said.

"I strongly condemn these outrageous attacks on the Iraqi people, and send my deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones," Obama said in a statement. "These bombings serve no purpose other than the murder of innocent men, women and children, and they only reveal the hateful and destructive agenda of those who would deny the Iraqi people the future that they deserve."

In her statement, Clinton said the U.S. would work together with Iraqis "to combat all forms of violence and attempts at intimidation."

Comments

[maigesheng]

I voted that I dont care about what the United States considers to be "Progress" in Iraq. Obama platformed on understanding that we are in Iraq based on lies and that we need to get out and let them figure out their future without the help of the American military.

I am aware of my naivety and will not vote for Obama again.

[any67ways]

"Obama: Iraq Attacks Attempt To Derail Progress"

glad to hear we're still making progress

[changeself]

prgress in what?

this kid is really shameless.

[any67ways]

yes, with this type of progress, I'm sure we'll be outta there by 2020

[zitlight73]

When we take our last troops out of Iraq, we will leave in place 80,000 mercenaries from such stellar companies like Blackwater. Peace is not in their best interests, no war,no juicy government contracts. I wonder how many of these so-called suicide bombers even know they're driving around in an explosive laden car until it is remotely detonated.

[eilish]

Well, we don't hear much about our military's effectiveness in preventing such attacks. We do hear that our presence in the country spawns the same. How's about we just get the h e l l out of Dodge and let the Iraqis tend to their own knitting?

[Laws456]

Of course our presence is going to spawn these types of attacks. There's no questioning that. It not only spawns violence against occupiers, but it also creates tension between the people in the country who support the USA and those who don't. And this tension will nto soon go away. The US needs to leave that country quick, and let them fend for themselves. But again, one has to wonder, was this what the powers that be wanted to happen in Iraq. The US actions in Iraq have led to this unrest, even if only by unintended reasons. Private defense corporations will always have a job now. They will always be needed to "help" keep law and order now. Which means more of our tax dollars will go to people who have no regard for law and order.

[changeself]

and the conflict spawned by the invading and occupying army

becomes another fodder for permanent occupation (oh, we can't cut and run, we now own the country since we broke it).

what god foresaken nation of criminals.