WASHINGTON, May 7 (UPI) -- Iraqi government efforts at national reconciliation were the focus of discussions between U.S. President Bush and his counterpart in Baghdad Monday.
Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki spoke in a televideo conference for about 25 minutes, the White House said, and the main item on the agenda was reconciliation between ethnic and sectarian groups in the country. Additional details were not disclosed.
That conversation, with staffers from both sides in attendance, was followed by a private undisclosed session, according to White House spokesman Tony Snow.
Snow termed the conversation as part of routine, ongoing discussions between the two leaders. However, it also occurred as congressional Democrats attempt to craft a new war supplemental funding bill that could well include specific achievement benchmarks the Maliki government would need to meet to retain U.S. support.
One possible measure under discussion would be voting for half the $95 billion Bush requested to continue operations through fiscal 2007 to mid-summer, and the rest coming after assessments were made about Iraqi government progress, including the passage and implementation of an oil revenue sharing deal.
"Absolutely that is not helpful" to commanders in the field who require what the money can buy, Snow said of the idea.
White House and congressional leaders had no meetings scheduled for Monday, but Snow said talks to reach a deal of supplemental Iraq funding were ongoing, and that in itself was progress.
