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Top U.S. Military Officer In Iraqi Visit

August 21, 2012

The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, has met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, eight months after the last U.S. troops withdrew from the country.

The Iraqi leader's media adviser, Ali al-Moussawi, described the talks on August 21 as positive.

He said Dempsey and al-Maliki discussed the state of bilateral relations, arms purchases, and military cooperation.

The general also held talks with Lieutenant General Robert Caslen, who heads the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq.

The office is responsible for facilitating Iraqi arms purchases and training the Iraqis how to use and maintain the weapons.

Security assistance programs include the sale of $12 billion of weapons to Iraq during 2012 alone -- including tanks, armored personnel carriers and heavy artillery. Future U.S. sales include F-16 fighter jets to be delivered from September 2014.

Before landing in Baghdad, Dempsey told AFP news agency: "We still retain significant investment and significant influence. But now it's on the basis of a partnership and not on the basis of ownership."

The last U.S. troops left Iraq in December 2011, sticking to a withdrawal deadline outlined in a 2008 security agreement.

The United States had hoped to maintain a military presence in the country beyond that deadline, but Washington was unable to reach a deal with the Iraqis on legal issues and immunity for American troops.

Dempsey arrived from Afghanistan where his parked plane was struck by a Taliban rocket or mortar attack overnight.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/top-us-military-official-on-iraqi-visit/24684042.html

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