Shoes and insults hurled at Bush on Iraq visit

[LRE]

George Bush's engagement with Iraq appeared to end as it began - in chaos and anger - yesterday when a surprise trip to Baghdad to thank his troops and herald a new security pact was disrupted by an Iraqi man calling the US president a "dog" in Arabic and throwing his shoes at him.

The Bush trip, which will also take in Afghanistan where he arrived this morning, was conducted amid deep secrecy. It was intended to round off on a high note the policy that has most defined his presidency.

During a press conference with the Iraqi prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, he said the conflict had been necessary, adding: "The war is not over."

But his comments were clearly not to the liking of one person. "This is the end!" the man shouted, before hurling first one and then his other shoe at the American leader from a distance of about 12 feet.

Bush ducked as the first shoe flew close above his head, hitting the wall behind him. He ducked again to avoid the second shoe, as Iraqi security men pounced on the assailant - reported to be an Iraqi journalist - and dragged him screaming out of the room.

The US president appeared untroubled by the incident and later quipped: "All I can report is it is a size 10." But the disruption was clearly unwelcome on his fourth and final visit to Iraq.

It was also pregnant with symbolism. In the Arab world, throwing shoes at somebody is considered a serious insult, as is even showing them the soles of one's footwear, as demonstrated by jubilant Iraqis towards the statue of Saddam Hussein as it was toppled in Baghdad during the 2003 invasion.

With less than six weeks to go before the end of Bush's presidency, his surprise visit to Iraq aims to highlight the decline in violence in the country and the so-called status of forces agreement, which comes into force next month.

Speaking before the shoe incident, Bush said of the five-and-a-half year occupation: "The work hasn't been easy, but it has been necessary for American security, Iraqi hope and world peace ... I'm just so grateful I had the chance to come back to Iraq before my presidency ends."

The security pact, approved by the Iraqi parliament three weeks ago, provides for the removal of US troops from Iraqi cities by the middle of next year and a full withdrawal by 2011. But there are already signs that the agreement is running into problems. Most importantly, its timetable will have to be squared with that of the incoming president.

Barack Obama has said consistently that he will pull US forces out of Iraq within the much tighter timeframe of 16 months, security conditions permitting. He is likely to highlight that ambition early on in his term, which begins on 20 January.

The provision to evacuate US personnel from Iraqi cities by mid-2009 has also been drawn into question. Over the weekend the top US commander in the country, General Ray Odierno, said American troops would remain in several cities beyond next summer, acting in a support role as part of "transition teams".

Doubt has also been cast on the legal basis of the new pact, which leaves the US occupation without the cover of a UN mandate.

Bush landed in Baghdad on Air Force One after an 11-hour flight and began the visit with talks with the president, Jalal Talabani, and his aides. "I've known these men for a long time and I've come to admire them for their courage and their determination to succeed," Bush said.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/15/george-bush-shoes-iraq




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