Time for Iraq to step up, Obama says
BAGHDAD, April 7 (UPI) -- Now is the time for Iraqi leaders to "take responsibility for their country," U.S. President Obama told U.S. troops during a surprise visit Tuesday to Baghdad.
"It is time for us to transition to the Iraqis," Obama told about 1,500 applauding troops. "They need to take responsibility for their country and for their sovereignty."
Obama also spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani to discuss the transition and political reconciliation.
In February, Obama outlined his plan for a reduction of U.S. troops in 19 months and a complete withdrawal by December 2011.
After meeting with U.S. Army Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of U.S. troops in Iraq, Obama said much work remained in Iraq.
During his comments to the troops, Obama warned that the next 18 months would be critical as Iraqi officials must "make political accommodations."
"They're going to have to decide that they want to resolve their differences through constitutional means and legal means," he said. "They are going to have to focus on providing government services that encourage confidence among their citizens."
Obama also thanked the U.S. forces, saying, "You have performed brilliantly in every mission that has been given you."
To achieve success in Iraq, "We have to be even more focused than we've been," Obama said.
Obama tells students he's relying on them
ISTANBUL, Turkey, April 7 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama, speaking Tuesday to about 100 students in Istanbul, said he was committed to rebuilding a bruised U.S.-Turkey relationship.
"I am personally committed to a new chapter of American engagement," Obama said during a town hall meeting at Tophane Cultural Center. "We can't afford to talk past one another, to focus only on our differences or to let the walls of mistrust go up around us."
Noting the long history of partnership between the two countries, Obama acknowledged: "I know there have been some difficulties in recent years. In some ways, that foundation has been weakening. ... So I came here to renew that foundation and to build on it."
In his opening remarks, Obama said he counting on young people "to help shape a more peaceful and prosperous future."
"Already, this generation, your generation, has come of age in a world that's been marked by change that's both dramatic and difficult," he said. "While you are empowered through unprecedented access to information and invention, you're also confronted with big challenges ... ."
Obama fielded questions from students including ones on the U.S. position on climate change, its support for Turkey's bid to join the European Union and how his policies are different from his predecessor, former President George W. Bush.
Obama also met with religious leaders and toured the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. After leaving Istanbul, Obama made an unannounced visit to Baghdad.
Vermont legalizes same-sex marriage
MONTPELIER, Vt., April 7 (UPI) -- Vermont legalized same-sex marriage Tuesday when both houses of the state legislature voted to override the governor's veto.
The first state in the United States to adopt civil unions, Vermont is now the first to legalize marriage for homosexual couples by legislative action, The Burlington Free Press reported. In Massachusetts, Connecticut and, last week, Iowa, the state courts found that bans on homosexual marriage are unconstitutional.
Republican Gov. Jim Douglas vetoed the same-sex marriage bill Monday. The legislature voted overwhelmingly to reverse him, 23-5 in the Senate and 100-49 in the House.
Supporters of the bill gathered at the Statehouse for the vote, WPTZ-TV, Burlington, said.
"We haven't decided who's going to propose to who yet," one man told the television station, with the couple adding that they have been partners for almost 25 years.
A bill has passed the House in neighboring New Hampshire. Gov. John Lynch has not said whether he would veto the measure if it passes the state Senate.
In New York, officials have said they will recognize gay marriages contracted in other jurisdictions.
Sources: Jackson eyed in Blago probe
CHICAGO, April 7 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., has been queried by federal investigators probing the actions of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, sources say.
Citing unnamed sources, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday that Jackson has been asked by investigators why Blagojevich allegedly believed Jackson would be willing to contribute campaign cash to him in an exchange for an appointment to U.S. President Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.
The Sun-Times said Jackson and his lawyer met more than a week ago for an interview with investigators in connection with the Blagojevich probe. Prosecutors have alleged that the indicted ex-governor believed he would receive $1.5 million in campaign money in exchange for appointing Jackson to the seat.
During the meeting, investigators and Jackson allegedly discussed what Jackson told his representatives to tell the Blagojevich camp on his behalf last year. At the time, Jackson was seeking the Senate seat appointment, the newspaper said.
Stevens conviction, indictment tossed
WASHINGTON, April 7 (UPI) -- A federal judge tossed the conviction and indictment of former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, after the Justice Department admitted evidence was mishandled.
U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan Tuesday also initiated a criminal contempt investigation of the six federal prosecutors in the case, The Washington Post reported.
"In 25 years on the bench, I have never seen anything approach the mishandling and misconduct in this case," Sullivan said, calling the allegations "shocking and disturbing."
Last week, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said he would ask that Stevens's conviction and indictment on corruption charges be tossed out. During his trial last year, prosecutors repeated were chastised for their handling of evidence and witnesses.
Sullivan earlier ordered the government to hand over documents related to the allegations of misconduct by prosecutors. After reviewing the evidence, Sullivan could sanction prosecutors if he finds they intentionally violated rules covering witnesses or evidence.
Prosecutors have said they will not seek to retry the 85-year-old Stevens.
A jury convicted Stevens in October of lying on financial disclosure forms about $250,000 worth of gifts and free home renovations. Since then, an FBI agent filed a whistleblower complaint alleging prosecutorial misconduct and Sullivan has held three top Justice lawyers in contempt.
Stevens, who was a U.S. senator from December 1968 until January 2009, lost his re-election bid by about 4,000 votes about a week after he was convicted.
Berlusconi may accept U.S. aid
ROME, April 7 (UPI) -- Italy would be open to accepting U.S. help following the L'Aquila earthquake, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Tuesday.
Berlusconi initially turned away offers of international help following Monday's deadly earthquake in the Abuzzo capital city and surrounding towns that killed at least 150 people, injured 1,500 and left tens of thousands of homeless.
Berlusconi said he had a "long phone call" with U.S. President Barack Obama while touring temporary tent cities set up to house those left homeless, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.
"If the United States wants to give a tangible sign of its solidarity with Italy, it could take on the responsibility of rebuilding heritage sites and churches," Berlusconi said. "We would be very happy to have this support."
Berlusconi said another possibility would be for the United States to help rebuild "a small district of a town or a suburb" so it could say, "This was done with our contribution."
Many historic buildings and churches in L'Aquila were destroyed or damaged by the earthquake, ANSA reported, including the apse of the 13th-century Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio and the cupola of the 17th-century Anime Sante church.
