Think Progress

Iraq to Cheney: ‘Big fat no’ on bases in Iraq.

The Iraqi government has “put the U.S. on notice” that they do not want permanent U.S. bases in Iraq, CNN reports today. The message was “delivered directly to Vice President Dick Cheney at the White House” by Iraqi National Security Adviser Mowaffak Al-Rubaie, who told CNN that Iraqis say, “No, big fat no, N-O for the bases in Iraq”:

The people of Iraq, the parliament, the council of representatives and the government of Iraq, they all say no, big fat no, N-O for the bases in Iraq. No military bases for Iraq because we believe that is in direct encroachment to our soveriegnty, and we don’t need it.

Watch it:

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2007/10/NoBasesCNN.320.240.flv]

Al-Rubaie did not say how Cheney reacted to his message.



66 Responses to “Iraq to Cheney: ‘Big fat no’ on bases in Iraq.”

  1. upside99 says:

    WTF! How dare these ingrates say we can’t have full run of their country. They won’t sign over their oil, they won’t let us keep Darth’s Mercenary Scumbags stay and kill at will, now they won’t let us use their country for a terrestrial aircraft carrier.


  2. Nevar says:

    Cheney was just spotted at Guns-R-Us, stocking up on birdshot.


  3. Leftside Annie says:

    Oh, dear.

    I expect this poor man needs to …spend more time with his family.


  4. DenverOasis says:

    I’m sure that’ll sway Cheney’s opinion… The opinions of the people we’ve “liberated” have never seemed to matter at all to the architects of the occupation. They don’t want to hear or believe the truth anyway.


  5. km4 says:

    Did Cheney have his shotgun ?

    Go F**K yourself megalomaniac or have another heart attack and be gone !


  6. Race Condition says:

    Ten bucks says Cheney has some wet-ops team construct one overnight anyway.


  7. ralph the wonder llama says:

    Well, that’s settled then.

    The Iraqi government asked us to leave, the Parliament passed a resolution asking us to leave, and now they say we’re not to establish permanent bases in Iraq.

    So I guess we can go home now, right?


  8. Bob says:

    Cheney probably said, “Go fck yourself”.


  9. Nature Rules says:

    Cheney doesn’t listen to his own people so why would he listen to Iraqi’s?


  10. Above the Clouds says:

    Don’t these Iraqis know who they’re dealing with? Cheney is the man who had a “few beers” for lunch, shot his friend in the face, then send another person out to lie about the whole thing.


  11. StratRat says:

    If I were Al-Rubaie, I would not go hunting with Cheney.


  12. Nature Rules says:

    Don’t these Iraqis know who they’re dealing with? Cheney is the man who had a “few beers” for lunch, shot his friend in the face, then send another person out to lie about the whole thing.

    Comment by Above the Clouds — October 18, 2007 @ 7:15 pm

    You forgot to say that his victim had to apologize to him and his family!


  13. Corporate Jesus says:

    How long before a helicopter or small aircraft he’s on crashes?


  14. Bob says:

    How’re we going to invade Iran without permanent bases in Iraq? Thirty years of planning down the drain, just like that. Well, ok, you win. We’ll just clean this mess up and get out of your way. Sorry for the inconvienieceses.


  15. Candyce says:

    Well, they can kick Blackwater out, but Erik has more lucrative business coming his way from the US government.

    The Defense Department has picked five companies for a five-year contract in support of DOD’s counter-narcoterrorism activities. The indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract could be worth up to $15 billion for the awardees.

    The companies are:

    Raytheon Technical Services Co., a subsidiary of Raytheon Co.
    Lockheed Martin Corp.
    Northrop Grumman Corp.
    Arinc Inc.
    Blackwater USA

    http://www.washingtontechnology.com/online/1_1/31393-1.html


  16. Jackie says:

    Billions of US Taxpayers dollars for a US base that will never be. Next the Iraq government will tell the US they can’t have an Embassy and oh well US Taxpayers don’t mind we have money to burn. Now all those billions spent for nothing while the Christian GOP wouldn’t all American Children to have Health Care.
    Oh well what’s more important to the GOP throwing money away in Iraq or saving American Children’s lives. Looks like Iraq wins again.


  17. And Yet... says:

    “Al-Rubaie did not say how Cheney reacted to his message.”

    Cheney: Who was that guy… I could have sworn I saw his lips moving.”


  18. Nevar says:

    “…a five-year contract in support of DOD’s counter-narcoterrorism activities.”
    Comment by Candyce

    Let me guess; over the poppy fields of Afghanistan?


  19. Above the Clouds says:

    Do Cheney and the neocons get any kickbacks from the poppy fields of Afghanistan? Seems they should get to enjoy some of the monetary benefit from the increased poppy growth they helped create.


  20. robbez_92107 says:

    Comment by Nevar — October 18, 2007 @ 7:23 pm

    Even worse – this is a domestic contract. Little King W is amassing his private army of black (water) shirts.


  21. Veritas says:

    Stick it to the Dick!


  22. Candyce says:

    Let me guess; over the poppy fields of Afghanistan?

    Comment by Nevar — October 18, 2007 @ 7:23 pm

    As robbez said. Domestic – be afraid.


  23. gummitch says:

    Cheney won’t say anything in public; he’ll send Lynne out, while on her book tour, to let everyone know that Al-Rubaie makes her uncomfortable. And that Al-Rubaie reminds her a lot of Hilary.


  24. Veritas says:

    And these five year contracts are cut in stone? No doubt they have cancellation clauses just like any other contract. If they don’t, then perhaps they’re not even legal considering the change in guard in the white house which is forthcoming.


  25. Veritas says:

    Let’s see old lady Cheney try to spin this one! hah!


  26. Jackie says:

    I know why the Iraq government is speaking out and disrespecting the once Great Brother Cheney. Lynn announced he was related to a black man and has been passing for White all this time. A brother can say no to a brother.


  27. helenahandbasket says:

    bush heard “N-O” and thought Al-Rubaie meant Nitrous Oxide.


  28. bilbobaggins says:

    Does anyone but me find it odd that they delivered the message to Chaney and not Bush. I guess they recognize the fact that Chaney is the real President and that Bush is nothing but a puppet.

    I suspect that the Iraqi’s asking us to leave will be the next step. How is Bush going to justify staying if the Iraqi government asks us to leave? For that matter, what will Hillary say? Will she insist we stay to protect our strategic interests?


  29. Nevar says:

    I was just pondering that, bilbobaggins…
    I guess perhaps this is another indication of George’s struggle to be relevant…


  30. Moderation says:

    Does anyone but me find it odd that they delivered the message to Chaney and not Bush. I guess they recognize the fact that Chaney is the real President and that Bush is nothing but a puppet.

    I suspect that the Iraqi’s asking us to leave will be the next step. How is Bush going to justify staying if the Iraqi government asks us to leave? For that matter, what will Hillary say? Will she insist we stay to protect our strategic interests?

    Comment by bilbobaggins — October 18, 2007 @ 8:14 pm

    Yes! I am glad I am not the only one who noticed that! I found that too be either incredibly odd (if Dubya really is the PotUS), or incredibly insightful (if Dick is the real hub of power).

    I’m wagering it was a combination of the latter, and a concerted effort on the part of the Iraqi diplomat to insult Bush. What better way to insult a figurehead then to “go above his head” to the real authority? Simple, there isn’t any.

    Regardless, this was a ballsy move on the part of the Iraqi diplomat.

    So, if we now build (or refuse to dismantle existing) permanent bases, we publicly acknowledge that the Iraqi government has no sovereignty, and our government admits that it have no intention of leaving (contrary to the will of its people).


  31. Johnbo says:

    Hey, give these guys credit for understanding what’s happeining in Washington D.C.. They delivered their announcement about bases to CHENEY, not Bush! That pretty much says it all.

    BUT, have they thought this throught? I mean, who’s going to “protect” their oil??


  32. Brain From Planet Arous says:

    How long before The Death Star attacks Iraqi National Security Headquarters?


  33. Namtillaku says:

    Shhhhh – don’t let Mowaffak Al-Rubaie hear about the billion dollar ‘embassy’….


  34. Veritas says:

    Bilbo: Was wondering precisely the same thing. If Georgie is POTUS then why make Cheney more relevant by delivering the message directly to him?


  35. Veritas says:

    #32 Maybe they’ll ask us to leave our embassy behind as well? Never can tell. After all this embassy standing as a reminder of american imperial hubris is not something the Iraqi people will want to be reminded of daily.


  36. MapleStreet says:

    I for one think that this is just a thinly disguised ruse to take the swimming pool in the US Embassy. Not to mention the rest of those green zone buildings.

    If you wanted to swim, why didn’t the Iraqis just ask us ?


  37. Jay Randal says:

    Good, so the Congress has ZERO excuse to keep funding the Iraq Fiasco Occupation now. Iraq’s government wants US to leave, so OIL Cartel CEOs must be told to go to hell.


  38. Doc Rock says:

    How can we protect OUR oil without bases on their soil?


  39. MWG says:

    It’s too late…haven’t we, the taxpayers of the US, already seen billions and billions of our tax dollars go toward that most enormous, multi-acre US “embassy” in Iraq???

    Embassy, military base, training center, whatever you call it, this administration has, for years, planned on it being “home” to a permanent occupation of US citizens in Iraq.
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .


  40. Buckie Boy says:

    How many TAX DOLLARS has this Criminal Administration used in building those PERMANENT Bases that the Iraqi’s don’t want there?

    You’d have thought that they would have thought of asking them.

    Nah, just kidding these WAR CRIMINALS never think of the consequences of their actions.

    Buck Fush


  41. impeachcheneythenbush says:

    Embassy, military base, training center, whatever you call it, this administration has, for years, planned on it being “home” to a permanent occupation of US citizens in Iraq.

    Comment by MWG — October 18, 2007 @ 10:13 pm

    I would like to see a number of U.S. citizens held there permanently: Bush, Cheney, Hayden, Rice, Wolfowitz, Gonzales, Rumsfeld, oh and about another 200 or so participants and enablers of this criminal regime afflicting the country right now…both of them.


  42. rehbock says:

    bush heard “N-O” and thought Al-Rubaie meant Nitrous Oxide.

    Comment by helenahandbasket — October 18, 2007 @ 7:55 pm

    Well nitrous oxide known as laughing gas is N20 often used as dental anesthetic and as a recreational drug. Nitric oxide is NO and a deadly poison. If Bush and Cheney would confuse the two and inhale deeply that could be a laugh.


  43. Innocent Bystander says:

    I suspect that the Iraqi’s asking us to leave will be the next step. How is Bush going to justify staying if the Iraqi government asks us to leave? For that matter, what will Hillary say? Will she insist we stay to protect our strategic interests?

    Comment by bilbobaggins — October 18, 2007 @ 8:14 pm

    Iraq will never be able to function as a country as long as we are there as occupiers. The Blackwater fiasco is probably the last straw for the Iraqi’s. So I expect to see a hi-profile diplomatic effort by Iraq to tell the world we want the US out. And then, the question will be…why won’t we leave?

    Damn…this is not how the plan that Cheney put together in his secret energy meetings was supposed to turn out. A trillion dollars, 3000 American lives, our trashed US reputation and $90.00/bbl oil….hell of a job Dickie!


  44. had enough says:

    Does anyone but me find it odd that they delivered the message to Chaney and not Bush.
    I guess they recognize the fact that Chaney is the real President and that Bush is nothing but a puppet.

    I suspect that the Iraqi’s asking us to leave will be the next step. How is Bush going to justify staying if the Iraqi government asks us to leave? For that matter, what will Hillary say? Will she insist we stay to protect our strategic interests?
    Comment by bilbobaggins

    My thoughts also… Iraqis are not stupid and this IS a very positive move on their part. What a way to silence the war hawks including Hillary and what a show of disrespect to Bush.


  45. OxyCon says:

    See the Iraqi guy in the video?
    OxyCon predicts he’ll be dead within 6 months. Blown up, or kidnapped, body found with drill holes in his skull, or floating in the Tigris.


  46. Gregor Samsa says:

    Why do Iraqis hate our troops?

    Why do Iraqis want to lose in Iraq?

    /sarcasm off


  47. foreyes says:

    Oh, dear.

    I expect this poor man needs to …spend more time with his family.

    Comment by Leftside Annie — October 18, 2007 @ 7:07 pm

    If you’re saying what I think you’re saying, don’t worry. Just like there are many patriotic Americans willing to suffer the consequences of their beliefs, Iraqis are also patriotic people. They’re under the gun right now and looking for ways to escape, just like we would.


  48. Gregor Samsa says:

    It seems Iraqis are under the false, naive impression that this White House gives a damn about what they want.

    The Bush administration doesn’t even give a damn about what Americans want, let alone some people whose invitation wasn’t required to occupy their country in the first place.


  49. Chocolate Jesus says:

    another troll free thread… come on your cowards.. micheal. daryll, bigfwat?

    rush and malkin not told you what you should think about this yet?


  50. marshmallow says:

    Cheney’s response: “That’s what you say, huh? You and what army?”


  51. foreyes says:

    naive impression that this White House gives a damn about what they want.
    Comment by Gregor Samsa — October 19, 2007 @ 12:39 am

    You’re right about the first part but, if I may say so, don’t make the mistake of thinking that a 3,000 years old Mesopotamian culture is going to be naive about the intentions of an occupying force. They will comply as long as it is to their advantange, then the occupying forces will suffer the consequences of their folly. Ask the British, they know!


  52. Gregor Samsa says:

    Comment by foreyes — October 19, 2007 @ 12:59 am

    I was being a little sarcastic, foreyes.

    I realise the Iraqis have no illusions when it comes to the intentions of the US; which is why the insurgency is proving so resilient.

    However, this makes the position of the Bush administration even more untenable; after all, they’ve been repeating “we will stand down as they stand up”. Seems to me they’re standing up now, thank you.

    Going back to my sarcasm:

    “Permanent? Who said anything about permanent bases? We’ve only meant them to be “enduring”.


  53. Fools on the Hill says:

    Perhaps they have to follow Hillary’s lead and claim they are terrorists. Then they can apply sanctions and start seizing all US assets that they can get their hands on.


  54. Chocolate Jesus says:

    hey guys.. I think I found the trailer park where bigfoot and micheal live..

    http://www.cnn.com/ 2007/ US/ 10/ 17/ trailer.sexoffender/ index.html

    95 of 200 residents of Florida trailer park are convicted sex offenders

    Sex offender named Michael says trailer park is “paradise”


  55. frantaylor says:

    I bet Cheney is taking lessons in chair-throwing from Steve Ballmer.


  56. foreyes says:

    95 of 200 residents of Florida trailer park are convicted sex offenders

    Sex offender named Michael says trailer park is “paradise”

    Comment by Chocolate Jesus — October 19, 2007 @ 2:05 am

    Chocolate: Even if what you’re reporting is not true, I’m still laughing! Michael and Daryll Daryll are jokes, arent’t they?


  57. xenon says:

    I can just picture Cheney doing his best Travis Bickle impersonation…


  58. Chocolate Jesus says:

    they are jokes! but it is true.. follow the link dont know why the one i sent before was broken…… I think we found out why micheal hates kids so much! he’s not allowed to live anywhere within 500 feet of them!

    http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/17/trailer.sexoffender/index.html


  59. Max-1 says:

    .

    Now that’s what it looks like when the Iraqis start standing up. First it was our mercinaries like Blackwater, now permanent bases, next… Our troops?

    I could then say that at least that someone cares about our troops, Lord knows this Administration doesn’t… Geeesh!

    .


  60. kwintessential reason says:

    If NO US bases in Iraq…then what’s the point of Iraq then…Cheney must have been fuming…since that would through a dent in his plan of world domination!


  61. Chocolate Jesus says:

    >Mullen:US has ability to strike Iran

    If he said we couldn’t whats the chance he would still have a job a month from now? What happened to the last high ranking official who said something that didnt mesh with the bush doctrine? A sudden retiring because of the need for knee surgery? hehehh


  62. nikolai says:

    Al-Rubaie: “No permanent U.S. bases in Iraq, a big, fat, NO to permanent bases in Iraq.”
    Cheney: Obey mah auth-or-i-tah!! I’ll do what I WANT!!!


  63. Leftside Annie says:

    Oh, dear.

    I expect this poor man needs to …spend more time with his family.

    Comment by Leftside Annie — October 18, 2007 @ 7:07 pm

    If you’re saying what I think you’re saying, don’t worry. Just like there are many patriotic Americans willing to suffer the consequences of their beliefs, Iraqis are also patriotic people. They’re under the gun right now and looking for ways to escape, just like we would.

    Comment by foreyes — October 19, 2007 @ 12:37 am

    Foreyes – my comment was a tongue-in-cheek prediction that this truth-teller will disappear shortly, and that the usual excuse of “needing to spend more time with the family” will be ladled on thickly to explain his disappearance.


  64. chabuka says:

    I guess when Bush and Cheney parroted the phrase “when the Iraqi Government stands up, we’ll stand down” this is not what they had in mind..what they really meant was as soon as our embassies, our permanent bases are finished and we have total control of the Iraqi’s oil, and a peaceful occupation of 50,000 or more of our troops….then we will be okay with it…..


  65. foreyes says:

    Foreyes – my comment was a tongue-in-cheek prediction that this truth-teller will disappear shortly, and that the usual excuse of “needing to spend more time with the family” will be ladled on thickly to explain his disappearance.

    Comment by Leftside Annie — October 19, 2007 @ 12:58 pm

    That’s what I thought you were saying!




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