Barham Salih speaks on CNN

In an interview with Wolf Blitzer, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, spoke about the situation in Iraq and the recently leaked memo from former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Salih told Blitzer that Iraq needs to show progress at a faster rate, both for the United States and for the Iraqi people. He said a major priority was shifting security responsibilities to Iraqi forces, indicating that this could be the solution to the sectarian violence that is now engulfing the country. Although he stated that the solution needs to have an Iraqi face, Salih reiterated the continued need for United States assistance. Salih emphasized that the Iraqis want to take control of the security of their country, and that the Iraqi Prime Minister and President Bush spoke about this at their last meeting. At the meeting, they agreed to expedite the transfer into Iraqi hands, which would start next year with the United States still present in a supporting role.

On the issue of the illegal militias, and how Prime Minister Al-Maliki plans to solve the problem, Salih responded that the government has come out strongly against these forces and will attempt to disarm and immobilize them. Salih spoke of a crackdown where those who fail to comply with the government will face the full letter of the law, while those who do comply will be able to return to public life. The government sees this as a vital step towards improving their image and showing that they are capable of running Iraq. There is no set timetable as to when this crackdown will begin, but Salih said that the government is well aware of the need to initiate the program as soon as possible.