Maliki and the Iraqi government has resolved the dilemma. They are clearly behaving like a real sovereign government and stating they are ready for us to leave. All McCain need do to take advantage of this opening, is follow this simple 3 step process:...

Kind of puts a whole new spin on "Which is precisely how governments everywhere act".

The Iraqi government is claiming Der Spiegel mistranslated earlier reports that they were supporting a timetable for the withdrawal of American troops.

What the hell are you talking about? al-Dabbagh's initial "claim" was issued by the US CENTCOM. In open press questioning this morning, al-Dabbagh endorsed getting US troops out in 16 months.

Indeed, this would appear to be a sign that Maliki and company are more ready for prime time than it had appeared.

Great, can we bring them home now?

“Unfortunately, Der Spiegel was not accurate,” Mr. Dabbagh said Sunday by telephone. “I have the recording of the voice of Mr. Maliki. We even listened to the translation.”

But the interpreter for the interview works for Mr. Maliki’s office, not the magazine. And in an audio recording of Mr. Maliki’s interview that Der Spiegel provided to The New York Times, Mr. Maliki seemed to state a clear affinity for Mr. Obama’s position, bringing it up on his own in an answer to a general question on troop presence.

The following is a direct translation from the Arabic of Mr. Maliki’s comments by The Times: “Obama’s remarks that — if he takes office — in 16 months he would withdraw the forces, we think that this period could increase or decrease a little, but that it could be suitable to end the presence of the forces in Iraq.”

He continued: “Who wants to exit in a quicker way has a better assessment of the situation in Iraq.”

Emphasis mine.

Puts a rather different light on the incident.

ndeed, this would appear to be a sign that Maliki and company are more ready for prime time than it had appeared.

At this rate, within a few years the Prime Minister will issue his walk back press releases from Baghdad instead of Tampa Florida!