Bush Lands in Baghdad for Surprise Visit

[im10ashus]

By JOHN F. BURNS and CHRISTINE HAUSER
BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 13 — President Bush arrived in Iraq today on an unannounced visit intended to chart the best way forward after the formation of the unity government there and after the killing last week of the most-wanted terrorist in Iraq.

Mr. Bush was flown into the Iraqi capital and then taken by helicopter to the Green Zone, where he was then brought to the blue-domed Republican Palace and greeted by Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki.

"Good to see you," said Mr. Maliki.

"Thanks for having me," President Bush replied, accompanied by his top aides.

Mr. Bush's surprise arrival came after a string of bombings in the northern city of Kirkuk killed at least 20 people as violence surged after the killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and the naming of his successor. Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, who has vowed to crush the insurgency, announced several details today of a security plan for Baghdad.

cont'd...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/13/world/middleeast/13cnd-iraq.html?hp&ex=1150257600&en=5129d14357181634&ei=5094&partner=homepage