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http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47513.html

Biden makes surprise visit to Iraq

BAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden made his seventh trip to Iraq since taking office on Thursday, a surprise visit where he will meet with Iraqi officials for the first time since a new government was formed in December.

Biden's trip is intended to show the new government that despite the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq and the new government, he will still play an active role in the country's future leading up to the planned complete withdrawal of American forces at the end of this year.

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While in Iraq, Biden is scheduled to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani and other political leaders, including Iraqiyya leader Ayad Allawi and Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi.

Biden flew to Baghdad Wednesday night on a C-17 military plane from Pakistan, where he met with top government and diplomatic officials.

The Iraq stop caps a four-day trip that began in Afghanistan. In Kabul, Biden held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and top U.S. military and diplomatic officials.

Biden's itinerary this week has so far mirrored a trip he took in January 2009 before the inauguration when he was still a senator.

President Barack Obama had tasked him with overseeing the winding down of the war in Iraq.

In August, the Pentagon ended its combat mission in Iraq, as scheduled, although the country is not secure enough for an announced vice presidential visit and 55,000 troops still remain in Iraq.

"The remaining troops are advising and assisting Iraq’s security forces, conducting partnered counter-terrorism operations, and protecting U.S. civilians. In accordance with an agreement between the U.S. and Iraqi governments, all U.S. forces will leave Iraq by December 31, 2011," a White House official said in a statement about the trip. "At the same time, the United States is increasing its diplomatic, political and economic engagement with Iraq, opening consulates and branch offices throughout the country and pursuing important programs to help train Iraq’s police and judiciary and to build strong business and investment ties."


Eric D. Schwerin
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