President George W. Bush on Monday held a telephone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki. Bush, speaking from his ranch in Texas, expressed his confidence in Maliki's government despite Congress' growing frustration about the Iraqi government. “The president reaffirmed his confidence in the prime minister and noted the courage that he has shown in a challenging and difficult year,” White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. Fratto said the two leaders discussed political progress in Iraq, proposed oil-sharing legislation in the Iraqi parliament, and constitutional reform. “Obviously we want the Iraqis and the Iraqi parliament to move as quickly as possible,” Fratto said. “Progress on advancing these initiatives is not moving as quickly as anyone wants… and I think that includes Prime Minster Maliki and many members of parliament.”
