Reporters on the Job
鈥� Keep it brief, please: Correspondent Sam Dagher was struck Sunday by how eager Iraqi officials were to keep press conference appearances with Iran's President Ahmedinejad (see story) to a bare minimum.
"At President Jalal Talabani's residence, he and Ahmedinejad spent 10 minutes professing their 'brotherly' love for each other in opening statements," says Sam. "Then it was two and a half minutes taking questions, with Mr. Talabani not hiding his disdain and impatience with some of the questions posed by reporters."
Among those reporters was the Monitor's Awadh al-Taiee, who, Sam says, had braved mortar threats, closed roads, and multiple checkpoints to get there.
Later, at Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's office, a second conference lasted some 18 minutes. Controversial matters, particularly those relating to America, were not addressed, Sam says.
Iran's president exhibited his characteristic approach, Sam says: When asked about President Bush's remarks that he stop supporting terror, Ahmedinejad smiled and said: "Really, he said this? You heard him say this?"
THE WEEK AHEAD
鈥�Monday, March 3 Vienna 鈥� International Atomic Energy Agency board meets.
鈥�Tuesday, March 4 Washington 鈥� President Bush and Mrs. Bush welcome King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan.
鈥�Wednesday, March 5 Vienna 鈥� OPEC meets to consider cutting production amid high crude prices.
鈥�Thursday, March 6 Beijing 鈥� New Zealand expected to sign free-trade agreement with China.
