Deputy PM, U.S. commander take up services, budget

BAGHDAD, Sept. 20 (Iraqi News) – The Iraqi deputy prime minister on Saturday received the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. Raymond Odierno, and discussed with him the public services and the general budget for the current year. The two officials tackled “the positive aspects on the Iraqi political scene in light of the national reconciliation project and the government’s efforts to do the best for Iraqi citizens…,” according to a statement released by Raf’i al-Issawi’s office and received by IraqiNews.com – Voices of Iraq – (Iraqi News). In mid-September 2008, Gen. Odierno replaced Gen. David Petraeus as the head of the Multi-National Force (MNF) in Iraq.   SS (P) 1