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FRIDAY, JULY 11 Ohr Shalom Zamru at the Bay
FRIDAY, JULY 18 Temple Solel Shabbat at Beach
MON., SEPT. 29-THURS., OCT. 9
FROM THE GATES OF THE NEGEV
Negev mayors protest Olmert decision against fortifications along Gaza border
By Ulla Hadar
 SDEROT, Israel, July 10—The mayors of this city and five nearby municipalities have jointly demanded in a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that the government fortify all buildings in Israel within 4.5 kilometers of the Gaza border.
The letter sent Tuesday, July 10, came in response to a decision made by Ra'anan Dinur, head of the Prime Minister’s office, to budget for fortifications only in some small areas and not all the areas along the border.
The mayors demanded that the government allocate additional money immediately in order to finish a fortification program by the end of 2009.
"Anyone who does not understand the significance of this difficult
security and defense situation that the Southern area lives under, and the fears that mothers in settlements like Kibbutz Aza have to face every day, is not fit to make decisions like this one" Mayor Alon Schuster of Shaar Hanegev declared.
"The government obligated itself 3-4 months ago to fortify all the buildings in an area 4.5 kilometer from the Gaza border,” he added. “Till now we have received 35 percent of the money needed for the work. Today we received the decision that there is not going to be budgeted any more money for the continuation of the project. The population is left to deal with the Palestinian terror on its own. We do not agree with the decision. It is not decent and we will continue our demands until all the settlements in the municipalities and Sderot are fortified."
This budget cut is not the only one that hit the South. Last week
a decision in the government was made to postpone indefinitely the development and building of a planned railroad from Ashkelon through Sderot to Beersheba. This was seen as another blow by the population on the periphery of the country, a population that already feels alienated from the rest of the country.
But Democrats are: a) crowing, and b) seeking to undermine the negotiation by offering their own counter-position to the Administration. Portraying Iraq's desire to formulate a withdrawal date as a defeat for President Bush, senior Congressional Democrats have proposed the Administration announce itself a failure. In The Washington Post this week, Reps. Bill Delahunt and Rosa DeLauro called for extending "the UN Mandate...to maintain the status quo and ultimately, turn this issue over to the next president and Congress...rather than dictating the terms of our long-term relationship with Iraq."
Aside from noting that the President, not Congress, is Constitutionally charged with negotiating treaties, the present administration appears not to be dictating at all, but listening carefully to what the government of Iraq wants and needs.
It was Congressional Democrats who complained that the al-Maliki government was incapable of governing. Not only has it proven capable, but increasingly competent in matters of both security and governance. The Iraqis have to be mindful of their domestic and regional constraints, and mindful too of their continuing reliance on American arms, training and skilled troops. They have a fine line to walk, and appear to be doing it rather well - which really irritates some people.
The Washington Times reports a lawmaker close to al-Maliki saying Iraq would link the proposed timeline to the return of the provinces to Iraqi security control; when all the provinces are returned, a countdown would begin. Iraq's security situation then "would be reviewed jointly every six months, for three to five years, to decide when U.S.-led troops would pull out entirely." The Times continues, "The proposal...is phrased in a way that would allow Iraqi officials to tell the Iraqi public that it includes a specific timeline for a U.S. withdrawal... However, it also would provide the U.S. some flexibility on timing because the dates of the provincial handovers are not set."
That sounds like a nuanced and reasonable negotiating position, to which the United States should respond, not collapse. Both sides agree that the talks are operating in good faith and constructive progress is being made. We suspect more progress will be made as the Iraqis realistically consider that the next president and Congress may be far less supportive of Iraqi strength and independence than President Bush has been.
The looming deadline is not troop withdrawal, but elections. The considerations that may make the Iraqi government determined to conclude an agreement with the Bush Administration, seem to be the exact considerations pushing the Democrats to negotiate against the president and against American interests.
THE JEWISH CITIZEN
San Diego had his dream job and great weather, but Israel had his heart
By Donald H. Harrison
  SAN DIEGO—At 24, Avi Yesawich (at right) had what others might consider everything going for him. He had a home he shared with good friends in the Mission Beach area. He had a job in advertising and public relations, the field he had studied at Cornell University. He also had done well on the LSAT exams to possibly enter law school.
He also was building a social life through Congregation Beth El, and "loved the weather, the people, the beaches—San Diego is paradise."
By the time you read this, however, he will be in Israel, one of that country's newest immigrants. He will begin studying Hebrew in an ulpan at Kibbutz Na'an, near Rehovot, and afterwards enlist in the Israeli Army. After that, maybe, he will study to become an attorney in Israel, or perhaps continue in the marketing field.
Why did he sell off his car, furniture, and "a majority" of his things in San Diego to go to Israel with the Nefesh b' Nefesh (Soul to Soul)program?
"As much as I love San Diego, my heart is in Israel," he responded.
That love affair began with Operation Birthright, which provides Jews in their late teens and early 20s with a free trip to Israel if they haven't been there before. Since then,Yesawich returned to Israel several times, the last time only two months ago during the Yom Ha'atzma'ut when Israel celebrated its 60th anniversary.
"When I am there, I don't want to leave," he said. "I decided that I needed to come back." So he went to the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem to learn more about making aliyah, and after returning to the United States contacted the Nefesh b' Nefesh organization, which encourages and aids immigration by North Americans. "They make it so easy to get through the process without losing your mind," he said.
What is it about the process that drives people crazy? I asked during a phone interview while he was counting down the hours for his chartered El Al flight to Israel from New York. "You have to fill out a myriad of forms, and there is all this waiting time," he responded. The waiting prompts people to worry about such questions as "Will I be processed? Do I need more forms? Do I have all the health documents in order? The Nefesh b' Nefesh program really helped me navigate it all."
Before leaving for Israel, Yesawich had one final all-American bash—a July 4th weekend goodbye party for which his mother traveled to San Diego from Chicago and his brother from Denver to attend. "We had a traditional big family meal, a big barbecue, and went to the beach," he said. "Mom got a little teary eyed, but everyone was really supportive."
Yesawich said that he will be able to retain his American citizenship even after becoming an Israeli, and said he plans to be "an honest, loyal and dependable citizen of the two countries that I love. The fact that I can share between the two countries means a lot to me. As a Jew, it seems natural being there, where I can live a Jewish life style."
ARTS IN REVIEW
Globe's Romeo and Juliet needs polish
By Carol Davis
 SAN DIEGO—On opening night of the second show of the Old Globe’s Shakespeare Festival, Romeo and Juliet, I bumped into a fellow temple congregant who introduced me to her young granddaughter, Talia. They were also there to see the show. She told me she was fourteen. I asked her if she had ever seen Romeo and Juliet before this night? She told me “No," but her proud grandmother jumped in and told me she once acted in this play at school. She played Romeo. I didn’t find it unusual since both the young lovers were in their teens, it was a school play and she no doubt learned a little about Shakespeare. She seemed OK with it and so did I. Her summer plans include studying at ABT (American Ballet Theatre) in New York.
In turn, she asked me how many times I’d seen the show and I compared the many times my body has been planted in a theatre seat to watch said play to my age, (at least that’s how it feels) which we shall not discuss at this time. I had just seen Romeo and Juliet at Stratford in Ontario. With that in mind, expectations of what treats I might be in for at this and following performances ran on the higher side of the excellence scale.
Remember the look on Tevya’s face in the movie Fiddler on the Roof when he saw his Chavala chatting with Fyedka? No way was he going to buy into any pleading by his beautiful ‘little bird’ into changing his mind about Fyedka being a good person. Those were the days ‘the papa’ chose a husband with the help of a Matchmaker or Shadchan.
It wasn’t too different in the days of Romeo and Juliet when the father chose his daughter’s mate. Both Tevya and Lord Capulet (Wynn Harmon) Juliet’s father had good reason to make sure their daughters didn’t marry into the wrong families. Fyedka was Russian ……not Jewish and Chava was steeped in Jewish tradition but wanted more. Romeo was a Montague whose family had been feuding with the Capulets for reasons never explained. But for this time the grudge visits the children and nothing but their deaths can end the parents' conflict. Love finds its way through all the sordid family messes and often leads to tragedy when left unattended.
And so it was in Shakespeare’s classic tragedy of the star-crossed lovers and their warring families. Both children in their teens, both find instant love in and for one another and on the sly marry. And so begins the play with a sound reading by Jonathan McMurtry:
“Two households, both alike in dignity
(In fair Verona, where we lay our scene),
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life,
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-marked love
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, naught could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage—
The which, if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.”
Richard Seer directed this sad tale of love and revenge. For those of us who have seen our fair share of “Romeo’s” this one left much to be desired. At the heart is Graham Hamilton’s lackluster Romeo. Dressed in gray tights with an out of place looking gray knit cap (Anna R. Oliver) his portrayal of Romeo is about as dull as the costume he wears and he doesn’t seem to come to life until well into the second act when the two aren’t able to meet or see each other again. Heather Wood’s Juliet, on the other hand, is a fresh face on the scene and seems perfect for the part. A nice touch on Seer's part is having her first come out blowing bubbles showing her young age which is always difficult since she’s supposed to be fourteen.
As the play moves forward, she begins to show her maturity in subtle ways— as if teenagers are subtle. She vacillates between love and hate as she learns her Romeo has killed her cousin in a dueling match brought on by Romeo’s close friend Mercutio (Owiso Odera) and Juliet’s belligerent cousin Tybalt (Anthony von Halle). But the real grownup Juliet cleverly plans her escape after her father orders that she marry Paris (John Keabler) a nobleman and suitable suitor for the Capulets. He’s no match for Romeo, but Lord Capulet’s and Lady Capulet, (Kandis Chappell) insists she ready herself for her wedding.
For those who have never seen this play, I’ll not ruin your evening by telling the ending. For those who have, it hasn't changed. From this reviewer's point of view the production values and the overall production are pedestrian from the staging to the set itself (Ralph Funicello), which could have had more color and accoutrement.
There are some noteworthy performances. Debra Taylor as Juliet’s nurse has just the right amount of comic play and empathy to make her a believable character among the many. Owiso Odera’s Mercutio stands heads and shoulders above the rest. After being stabbed in a swordfight of his own making, his dying words resonate throughout the play for curses on both houses.
But before he dies he gives a commanding performance using his wit, satire, wordplay and imagination. James R. Winker is perfect as the Friar Lawrence. He’s the one who secretly marries the youths and then comes up with ‘the plan’ for them to escape and finally to bring peace to the families. Unfortunately for him he is too scatter brained to be around when needed the most. Wynn Harmon as Lord Capulet, Juliet’s father, is especially effective as both the loving father and stern master.
Overall, when all is said and done, I left the theatre disappointed. I’m sure there will be another Romeo and Juliet on my plate in the future. For now, this one will go in the better safe than sorry category.
See you at the theatre.
Thursdays with the Songs of Hal Wingard
 Editor's Note: We continue our presentation of the songs of Hal Wingard, moving this week to songs he wrote on the themes of unrequited love. Here is a link to an index of Wingard's songs published by San Diego Jewish World. To hear Hal performing the song, click on its title.
# 51, Waiting for Anne Marie
Standing at the corner,
Waiting for my Annmarie.
She’s the girl that I love,
Only girl that’s made for me.
Never known a girl so fine,
A girl that’s so completely mine.
Standing at the corner,
Waiting for my Annmarie.
Standing at the corner,
Waiting ev’ry Sunday night.
I don’t mind the waiting,
Waiting for a girl so right.
She’s the only girl for me.
I would wait eternally.
Standing at the corner,
Waiting for my Annmarie.
Standing at the corner,
Waiting now for thirty years.
And I’ll keep on waiting,
Waiting ‘til my love appears.
I’ve been waiting now so long,
There’s no way that I’ll go wrong,
Standing at the corner,
Waiting for my Annmarie.
#42, Magdalena
Magdalena, marry me.
We will raise a family:
Twenty children and a cat.
How about a life like that?
Twenty children and a cat.
How about a life like that?
What's your answer?
I must know.
Magdalene, I love you so.
Twenty children and a cat.
How about a life like that?
Magdalena, I can see
You don't want a family:
Cats and kids can go astray.
Why not marry anyway?
Cats and kids can go astray.
Why not marry anyway?
What's your answer?
I must know.
Magdalene, I love you so.
Cats and kids can go astray.
Why not marry anyway?
Magdalena, have no fear.
There's no doubt I hold you dear.
If a marriage cannot be,
Why not spend the night with me?
If a marriage cannot be,
Why not spend the night with me?
What's your answer?
I must know.
Magdalene, I love you so.
If a marriage cannot be,
Why not spend the night with me?
#184, Anne
Anne has outer beauty
That stops men in their place,
That makes them stare in wonder
At her loveliness of face.
So you will think me lucky
To be the one she chose
To share the special favors
A winning lover knows.
Oh. . . Oh. . .
Yes, Anne has outer beauty,
But beauty's only skin
That hides beneath the surface
An ugliness within--
An ugliness she covers
And hides from public view.
But any time we're two alone,
Her inner self breaks through.
Oh. . . Oh. . .
Her ugliness will surface
When late on weekday nights
I come home drunk and bloody
From late-night barroom fights.
And ugliness will show itself
As she lets her hate unfurl
Ev'ry time I spend the night
With any other girl.
Oh. . . Oh. . .
'Though Anne has outer beauty,
Her beauty's only skin
That hides beneath the surface
An ugliness within.
Oh. . . Oh. . .
San Diego County Jewish Trivia PLACES
Adapted from San Diego Trivia (1989) and San Diego Trivia 2 (1993)
{Editor’s Note: Retired librarian Evelyn Kooperman, a friend to the Jewish community, enjoys playing the cello and collecting trivia about her native city of San Diego. This column excerpts Jewish communal items from her two books, San Diego Trivia (1989) and San Diego Trivia 2 (1993). Readers should note that the information has not been updated since the books were published. Kooperman still has a limited supply of the two books, which cover the general San Diego community in all its aspects. Either of the two volumes sells for $5 and may be obtained by telephoning the author at (619) 461-6095.}
By Evelyn Kooperman
 SAN DIEGO—Q1: On what urban mountain is there a 246-step stairway leading to the top?
HINT: The
stairway leads up the west side of mountain from Canterbury and Windsor Drives to Summit Drive. It is bisected twice by streets circling the mountain on the esast side. 185 step stairway leads to the top from Beverly Drive.
Q2: Espola Road in North County, on which one of the larger Chabad houses is located, takes its name from which three towns?
Q3: The daughter of what well-known Jewish merchant and land developer gave Encanto its name?
Hint: His eldest daughter, Ella, thought the area was "enchanting."
Please click here to see answers
ADVENTURES IN SAN DIEGO JEWISH HISTORY
Robinson-Rose House
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Old Temple Beth Israel |
Lawrence Family JCC |
Editor's Note: We are reprinting news articles that appeared in back issues of various San Diego Jewish newspapers. You may access an index of the headlines of those articles by clicking here. You may also use the Google search program on our home page or on the headline index page to search for keywords or names.
Fund Total Must Be Raised
From Southwestern Jewish Press, July 10, 1947, page 1
More than 3,000 Jewish communities throughout the country are continuing their local drives through the summer in order to raise necessary sums for the United Jewish Appeal because of the critical needs of the 250,000 displaced persons in Europe as a result of the liquidation of UNRRA operation, according to Henry Morgenthau, Jr., general chairman of the United Jewish Appeal. San Diego’s United Jewish Fund will continue to solicit pledges from those who have not as yet contributed in the 1947 campaign, announced Eli Levenson, president, today.
Incomplete returns in 1947 campaigns throughout the country, including San Diego, show substantial increases over 1946 giving. In Southwest and Pacific Coast cities, substantial increases have been reported from Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix, San Bernardino, Santa Ana and Stockton.
An appeal is being made to every city throughout the United States to ask their subscribers to pay their pledges now so that the money can be forwarded to the United Jewish Appeal.
Registration Opened for Camp Palomar
From Southwestern Jewish Press, July 10, 1947, page 4
Registration for one week away from home at Camp Palomar from July 29 to August 3 opened last Monday, with 21 children registering. Children between the ages of 7 and 15 will be accepted at Palomar. The City and County Camp Commission of San Diego is supplying the camp and part of the staff. Part of the day-camp staff will act as counselors at Palomar and in addition Stanford Brust and Edward Breitbard have volunteered their services for one week. Campers are to live in large tents and are asked to supply their own bedding to consist of two sheets and four blankets and necessary clothing and personal items. The fee is $25 for the entire week which includes transportation. Further information can be obtained and registration made by calling F-0171.
'Campers’ To Visit Training Center
From Southwestern Jewish Press, July 10, 1947, page 4
The summer day camp, sponsored by the community Center Committee of the United Jewish Fund, is continuing its program of group-play and group-work with 46 children registered for the balance of the season.
Many letters have been received by the committee acclaiming the success of the day camp and expressing the hope that it will be continued not only for the balance of this summer but in years to come. Originally 16 children registered for the five week period and now the committee reports that there are 46 children registered for the balance of the camp period.
Now that he trip to the County Fair and the Naval Carrier are over, the children are looking forward to their trip next week to the Naval Training Center, and to eating their lunch in the Mess Hall. The older boys are thrilled at the prospect of the overnight camping-out, also to take place next week. Swimming lessons, riding lessons and arts and crafts, under the direction of Miss Ball and Robert Imberman are also continuing.
Lasker Lodge B.B.
From Southwestern Jewish Press, July 10, 1947, page 5
Monday evening, July 14th, at 9:00 p.m. in the Lodge Room at Temple Center, Lasker Lodge B’nai B’rith will hold a regular meeting at which time there will be a report on Anti-Defamation by Chairman Eli Levenson.
Progress is being made by the newly formed Steering Committee of the Hillel Counilorship which is to be installed this Fall at San Diego State College and Chairman Morrie Kraus anticipates that full action of this group will start right with the opening of the Fall semester.
The membership has decided to continue with bi-monthly meetings on the second and fourth Monday evening of the month. Varied, interesting programs are being planned nd all members are urged to attend these meetings.
Lasker Lodge’s bulletin, “Hi-Lites,” has been temporarily discontinued. Further discussion on this subject will be had at Monday’s meeting.”
DEDICATIONS SOUGHT—Every one of these stories rescued from the yellowing and disintegrating archives of Southwestern Jewish Press will be permanently archived here on the website of San Diego Jewish World. In this way, we believe, we are making the history of our community accessible to researchers, and at the same time are preserving the memories of community members and organizations that came before us. We urge our readers to consider dedicating an installment of "Adventures in San Diego Jewish History" to a family member or friend, living or dead, and thereby add their names to our archives. Dedications cost only $18 (Chai). Surprise someone on a birthday, or anniversary, or other special event with an online greeting, or mark a yahrzeit. Your instructions accompanied by your check (and telephone number in case we need clarification) may be sent to San Diego Jewish World, PO Box 19363, San Diego, CA 92159.
 Nancy Harrison
cruise & tour specialist
(619) 265-0808
San Diego Jewish Trivia Answers: 1) Mt. Nebo, La Mesa; 2) Escondido, Poway, Lakeside; 3) Abraham Klauber
SAN DIEGO JEWISH WORLD THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Middle East
'Gabriel's Revelation' may alter Jewish, Christian concepts of interrelationships by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
Australia
A Roundup of Jewish news in Australia by Garry Fabian in Melbourne
—My grandson's bar mitzvah—and mine
—Shtetl of Zhetl inspires prize-winning essay
—Rabbi Yitzchok Groner dies aged 83
—Jewish groups avoid Diaspora study
—Rabbis oppose euthanasia bill
—Community looks closely at Jewish education cost
—Foreign Affairs Dept. investigates tourist's fate
—Bug's scientific name honors Australian Jew
—Australians to lead at Yad Vashem conference
—Achiever off to Prague
—JLC gets a new home
—Maccabi's winning run continues
—Police called after spiteful football game
San Diego
Scholarly, easy-to-read work tells of San Diego places people are dying to get into by Donald H. Harrison
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—July 3, 1947: Jewish Labor Com
—July 3, 1947: Birdie Stodel B.B.
—July 3, 1947: Yo-Ma-Co
—July 3, 1947: Pioneer Women
Arts
All that ends well still can be a problem by Carol Davis in San Diego
Sports
Two Jews in starting All-Star Game lineup by Bruce Lowitt in Clearwater, Florida
Middle East
The cause of freedom, then and now by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
Volunteers psychologically counsel people, repair houses in rocket-scarred regionby Ulla Hadar in Kibbutz Ruhama, Israel
San Diego
New Americans Museum celebrates some of this country's richest blessings by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—July 3, 1947: Palomar Camp Will Be Site Of Outdoor Activities
—July 3, 1947: Representatives of Agencies Meet in Temple
—July 3, 1947: Day Camp is Popular For Many Children
—July 3, 1947: San Diego Prepares For Post-USO
Arts
Two Yiddish books to tickle the silly bone by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego
Middle East
—Stopping Iran's growing nuclear threat by U.S Congressman Bob Filner in San Diego
Environmentalism
—Sometimes 'brown' is better than 'green' by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego
San Diego
Governor Grille, a kosher meat restaurant, makes its debut at Chabad-University City by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—June 26, 1947: Birdie Stodel B.B.
—June 26, 1947: Pioneer Women
—June 26, 1947: Jewish Labor Com.
—June 26, 1947: Jolly Sixteen
Arts
The Joker: from Catskills to Gotham City by Rabbi Simcha Weinstein in New York
Rose burdened with too many thorns by Cynthia Citron in Los Angeles
Middle East
Peres: Peace with Palestinians not possible by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
Judaism
The joy and enthusiasm of new Jews by Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
The Chofetz Chaim and the Russian soldier by Rabbi Baruch Lederman
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—June 26, 1947: Living Memorials For the Dead {Editorial}
—June 26, 1947: Lasker Lodge B.B.
—June 26, 1947: Day Camp's First Week Big Success
Sports
July 4th baseball: Thunder in skies, also in the stands at Storm game in Lake Elsinore by Donald H. Harrison in Lake Elsinore, California
A bissel sports trivia with Bruce Lowitt in Clearwater, Florida
Middle East
Few parallels between U.S. operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Israel-Palestine by Ira Sharkansky in Jerusalem
California and San Diego
What does the state budget proposal say about California's moral compass? by Gary Rotto in San Diego
How do you spell tikkun olam? G-R-E-E-N by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
San Diego Jewish Trivia: Movies by Evelyn Kooperman in San Diego
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—June 19, 1947: Yo-Ma-Co
—June 19, 1947: Birdie Stodel B.B.
—June 26, 1947: Eli Levenson Elected To Executive Comm. of B'nai B'rith
—June 26, 1947: Hearings to Be Held On U.J.F. Allocations
Arts
Klezmer with knishes, juice and 'p'stromi' by Carol Davis in San Diego
Chapter Fifteen of Reluctant Martyr, a serialized book by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego
Middle East
Carnage again stalks Jerusalem's buses by Judy Lash Balint in Jerusalem
Victory in Iraq is well-worth fighting for by Shoshana Bryen in Washington, D.C.
Biking can make you and planet more fit by Ulla Hadar in Kibbutz Ruhama, Israel
United States of America
American Jewish civics quiz for July 4 by Sheila Orysiek in San Diego
San Diego
Confronting abuse in the Jewish community by Rabbi Jeff Brown in Cardiff by the Sea, California
Adventures in San Diego Jewish History
—June 19, 1947: Hashomer Hatzair to Have Summer Camp
—June 19, 1947: Program Completed for Day Camp
—June 19, 1947: Jewish War Vets
Arts
Thursdays with the songs of Hal Wingard
—#247, Dieting
—# 308, Great New Diet
—# 74, Bad Booze Blues
Link to previous editions
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WASHINGTON, D.C.—
The United States is in Iraq under the terms of a UN mandate. The U.S. and Iraqi governments are negotiating a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) that will govern U.S. military activity in Iraq after the mandate expires in December. The al-Maliki government has taken a tough line in public regarding Iraqi sovereignty and a withdrawal timetable for American forces. The Administration, thus far, has said only that the two sides are agreed on the end game - we want to leave and they want us to leave. 
