Rumsfeld, Rice Make Symbolic Iraq Visit
Mission Intended to Show Support for Fledgling Government
BAGHDAD, April 26-Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made an unannounced joint visit to Iraq Wednesday to bolster the new emerging government and to ensure that the sometimes disjointed U.S. political and military operations are working seamlessly with the transition to a permanent government.Make no mistake, this trip was intended for domestic consumption not Iraqi. Any attempt by the Bush administration to support the new Iraqi "government" will only make it less likely that it will be seen as legitimate. This was an attempt to shore up diminishing support at home and if anything will make matters worse in Iraq. The administration still doesn't get it, the Iraqis hate us
"This is the Iraqis' time," Rice told reporters traveling with her. "This is the time to support the Iraqi government of national unity. It will be up to the Iraqis to determine how this moves forward and we're going to be there very much in support of them."
