Iraq’s minority Christians were among those suffering under the attacks carried out by Islamic militants opposed to the US-led coalitions with whom they claim Christian believers cooperate.
President Bush made the surprise visit to Iraq to meet newly named Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and discuss the next steps in the troubled, three-year-old war. His trip was overshadowed by fresh violence and came as in the northern city of Kirkuk dozens of people were killed or wounded Tuesday, June 13, in explosions.
The president was expected to be in Baghdad a little more than five hours, The Associated Press news agency reported. Landing at Baghdad airport, Bush transferred to a helicopter for a six-minute ride into the heavily fortified Green Zone. White House officials told reporters the helicopter ride posed the greatest risk for the president.
"NO MERCY"
Prime Minister Al-Maliki has pledged "no mercy" in a crackdown against insurgents, apparently encouraged by the killing of Al-Zarqawi. Bush said earlier that the killing of the terror chief was a "major blow" to Al-Qaida.
"Good to see you," exclaimed al-Maliki, who didn’t know Bush was in Baghdad until five minutes before they met, news reports said. "Thanks for having me," Bush responded. They reportedly smiled broadly and gave each other a two-handed handshake in the high-domed marble room.
The trip was known only to a handful of aides and a small number of reporters sworn to secrecy because of obvious security threats for Bush and members of his entourage, AP said.
VIDEO CONFERENCE
The prime minister had been invited to the embassy on the pretense of taking part in a video conference with Bush, supposedly at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountins. The videoconference was to go on as scheduled, but with Bush appearing alongside al-Maliki.
Christian leaders in Iraq were expected to closely monitor the latest developments. Only roughly 750,000 Christians remain in Iraq, following violence directed against them, including kidnappings and killings, rights groups say and BosNewsLife established. Christians selling alcoholic drinks have also been the target of attacks as well as Christian women refusing to wear the Muslim veil.
There have been attempts by the Bush-administration and some government officials to create a more plural government, but rights watchters have expressed concern over the influence of Islamic law in Iraq.
