Modern diplomacy

For years we have been hearing we should listen to the words on the ground in Iraq. Then comes Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki calling for a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops (and their subcontractors and consultants). The official response is:

• We didn't hear what he said.
• He probably didn't mean it if he said it or maybe you misunderstood.
• That was just for a local audience, but when the final agreements are written, we'll be there a hundred years and more, so long as Jean McCain't is electicated.