"Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker first learned of the Iraqi plan on Friday, March 21: Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki would be heading to Basra with Iraqi troops to bring order to the city." I totally believe this account. I do. I really do. You see: Iraq is a sovereign nation and Iraqi puppet leaders make their own decisions. US troops are only present in Iraq to inspect tourist sites and to preserve the archeological treasures of the country. Really. This explains that when things go wrong, which is every day, Iraqis are blamed because they make their own decisions. Oh, yeah. Ask Commander Fouad Ajami if you don't believe me.