Earlier today I flagged the question of just what Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said today about the Iraqis’ timetable for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. The year 2010 puts them more or less in line with Barack Obama’s stated plan. But there was some question about whether he said during 2010 or by the end of 2010.
Looking at the evening reports in the LA Times and NY Times, it seems clear that he did say ‘by the end’ of 2010.
The LAT described this as “roughly the same time frame laid out by Barack Obama, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, who has called for removing most troops by the summer of that year.”
Says the NYT: “Mr. Obama has said he would seek to withdraw American combat forces over 16 months if he is elected president, starting upon taking office in January, meaning his plan would be completed on roughly the same timetable as suggested by the Iraqis.”
So following up on my post this afternoon, the Post seemed to have the translation issue right — but their tendentious editorializing still confirms me in my sense that the paper is pushing McCain.
