Preliminary evaluation of Sarkozy’s talks in Iraqnote

French President Nicolas Sarkozy paid a short visit on 10/2/09 to Baghdad on the first leg of a tour that also took him to Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. His talks with Iraqi PM Nuri Al-Maliki focused on military, security and economic issues. The following 467-word report included in Tactical Weekly of February 13, 2009 focuses on Sarkozy’s talks in Baghdad and tells what his priorities in Iraq are. It also tells how the Iraqis are assessing his visit to their country and what military equipment or support the Iraqis would like to get from France.