 PRESIDENTIAL REALPOLITIK: US President Barack Obama participates in a meeting with US top general in Iraq Ray Odierno in preparation for vacating the war-ravaged country. Obama said on a surprise visit to Iraq that the next 18 months could be "critical" and told Iraqis that they would soon have to look after themselves. photo: AFP parent page (9 - 15 April 2009, issue #942) |