Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Obama Makes Surprise Detour to Iraq

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 7, 2009 11:05 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama made an unannounced stop today in Baghdad, where he told some 600 US troops at Camp Victory that it's time for Iraqis to "take responsibility for their country" after America's commitment of six years and thousands of lives. "You have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country," he said. "That is an extraordinary achievement." As he spoke inside a marble palace, he was interrupted repeatedly with cheers from the troops, many holding up digital cameras.

"I love you," someone in the crowd shouted out. "I love you back," the commander in chief replied. Obama spoke favorably of political progress but also expressed concern that recent gains could be lost. "It's important for us to use all of our influence to encourage the parties to resolve these issues in ways that are equitable," he said. "I think that my presence here can help do that." Plans to visit the Green Zone in Baghdad were scrapped due to the weather; Obama will instead talk to Nouri al-Maliki and Jalal Talabani by phone.

President Barack Obama greets military personnel at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama waves prior to boarding Air Force One in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama is greeted by Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, as he arrives in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama speaks to military personnel at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama hugs military personnel at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama is applauded as he greets military personnel at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama speaks to military personnel at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama greets military personnel at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, April 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Obama: 'Our War in Iraq Ends This Month'

President promises US will still have 'strong presence'

(NEWSER) - As the last 6,000 American troops prepare to leave Iraq by Dec. 31, President Obama today heralded the end of the divisive war—but issued a warning to the country's neighbors: The US will continue to have a "strong presence in the Middle East." He added, in a speech made after meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki this morning, that "the United States will never waiver in the defense of our allies, our partners, and our interests." More»

Maliki Pegs Obama as the Most Pliant: Krauthammer

Iraq PM thinks Dem can be manipulated, writes Krauthammer

(NEWSER) - Nouri al-Maliki's endorsement of Barack Obama's timetable for withdrawal from Iraq this week was "the earliest and most ostentatious absentee ballot of this presidential election," writes Charles Krauthammer. The Washington Post columnist thinks that the Iraqi PM gave Obama an electorial assist for a clear reason: between him and John McCain, "it is no mystery who would be the more pliant US negotiator." More»

Obama Appears Cocky, Presidential

The media fawns, McCain glowers, but Obama gets raves: Dowd

(NEWSER) - The better Barack Obama’s foreign excursion goes, the more nervous Republicans get, Maureen Dowd writes in the New York Times. Images of John McCain happily sharing a golf cart with Bush 41 don’t contrast well with images of Obama happily sharing a helicopter with David Petraeus. But there is also an element of arrogance in the trip. More»

Best Iraq Policy Would Mix Mac, Obama Plans

Friedman: Timetable is a political must, but with a little wiggle room

(NEWSER) - John McCain was right about the surge, so it’s natural he’s eager to talk about it. But thanks to that very success, Barack Obama finds himself, by luck or cunning, positioned perfectly, Thomas Friedman writes in the New York Times. As security improves, Iraqis want Americans to leave. If they don’t, Iraq will coalesce into a unified nation—unified against the US. More»

Obama, Maliki Want US Troops Out of Iraq by 2010

Democrat mum on details of meeting with Iraqi leaders, who aren't as reticent

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama spent nearly an hour today meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the Washington Post reports, before meeting with President Jalal Talabani. Though the Democrat gave few details—“We had a very constructive discussion,” was all Obama would say—an Iraqi official said the government shares Obama’s goal of withdrawing troops by 2010, without setting specific dates. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Obama Makes Surprise Detour to Iraq

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • Barack Obama • Nouri al-Maliki • foreign policy • Iraq exit strategy

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Obama: 'Our War in Iraq Ends This Month'

President promises US will still have 'strong presence'

Maliki Pegs Obama as the Most Pliant: Krauthammer

Iraq PM thinks Dem can be manipulated, writes Krauthammer

Obama Appears Cocky, Presidential

The media fawns, McCain glowers, but Obama gets raves: Dowd

Best Iraq Policy Would Mix Mac, Obama Plans

Friedman: Timetable is a political must, but with a little wiggle room

Obama, Maliki Want US Troops Out of Iraq by 2010

Democrat mum on details of meeting with Iraqi leaders, who aren't as reticent

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Obama Makes Surprise Detour to Iraq

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • Barack Obama • Nouri al-Maliki • foreign policy • Iraq exit strategy

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Obama: 'Our War in Iraq Ends This Month'

President promises US will still have 'strong presence'

Maliki Pegs Obama as the Most Pliant: Krauthammer

Iraq PM thinks Dem can be manipulated, writes Krauthammer

Obama Appears Cocky, Presidential

The media fawns, McCain glowers, but Obama gets raves: Dowd

Best Iraq Policy Would Mix Mac, Obama Plans

Friedman: Timetable is a political must, but with a little wiggle room

Obama, Maliki Want US Troops Out of Iraq by 2010

Democrat mum on details of meeting with Iraqi leaders, who aren't as reticent

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?