Surprise Visit

" Actually he is in these -- Turkey and going to go to major right now live hi major."

" Well good morning guys -- not sure how much an -- covered already in the pool for provided by the White House what I can tell you is. The president departed here at 217 local time. And we were very soon though after that notified that he was not heading directly back to Andrews air force base the White House schedule have indicated. We thought he might be heading to Baghdad and it's sort of an inside betting among the reporters traveling with the president on -- trivia -- here to Turkey and sure enough he has arrived there. Upon landing at Baghdad international airport the president originally intended. The helicopter to see some of the top Iraqi officials including prime minister Nouri Al Maliki inclement weather is preventing him from doing that he will telephone. Mr. -- he and other top Iraqi leaders before leaving he's going to see. As I believe Bill Hemmer just reported general Ray Odierno was the top US commander in Iraq at camp victory. And the president went to Baghdad for a couple of reasons one -- proximity to Turkey. Also because the political process in Iraq is so very important right now to his future success the country had very successful provincial elections in January it is going to have a legislative elections. In December and this really is -- Iraq watchers believe a crucial time in the political maturation of the fragile democracy. In Iraq and one of the things that is going to make that democracy stronger and more everlasting the US and its allies hope -- continued US troop presence in Iraq but here's one key dimension of that. By June of this year all US forces have to withdraw from the major Iraqi cities that's going to provide a degree of instability. Whether things the president wants to check on here with Ray Odierno -- other. Combatant commanders and other commanders on the ground is what's the level of stability now what's it going to be after the troops withdraw from major cities in June how will that affect the political equation in Iraq it's going to be quick trip to Iraq we expect the president to be -- a few hours and head back to Washington DC. I've -- you when you."

" So I -- we're talking about Obama's plans for a phased withdrawal first step from the city's and then from other areas apple what is being general reaction. To that timetable we've obviously heard some people voicing concerns that once he left. Give some kind of a timetable that the opposition is just going to prepare for that date."

" What generally speaking in Iraq the military commanders believe this is a timetable that is suitable to their needs remember music as a candidate. President elect then candidate Obama's senate he was elected he would pull troops out within nineteen months he's extended that deadline a little bit Robert Gates the Defense Secretary. General Odierno have also said this is a timetable that they can live -- and a bulk of the US forces are going to remain in Iraq up until and even after those crucial December parliamentary elections. Which is again a crucial phase in the maturation that Iraqi democracy so having them there all through this calendar year is probably more than some of the most ardent backers. A Barack Obama when he was a candidate the anti war candidate would have expected that the commanders on the ground believe it's a timetable that will -- things to happen. And t.'s stability and security on the ground. Movement toward these elections and an assessment afterwards about how successful elections work and how secure they yes situation in Iraq is because by December. For six -- months Iraq will not had US forces in the lead and on point in its major cities we'll have a very good sense of what security is like without US forces in those major city."

" Iraq obviously one topics of being discussed during president Obama's time in Turkey as well. How willing is Turkey in terms of visa efforts in Iraq."

" interesting thing is the F president you have to look cool and the prime minister. Present prime minister a lot of both signaled the US administration that they are more than willing. To allow Turkey to be in northern exit route for US forces providing one thing. And one thing in specific is taking care they want to make sure any weapons left behind by the US. Are not able to fall into the hands of the PKK that's what they call the terrorist organization that threatens Turkey on its southern flank from Northern Iraq. That is a crucial issue the Turks US is working with them on that but because the Turks -- you may remember did not allow the US forces into Iraq in 2003. That's soured the relations between the two nations. Those relations have improved and with Turkey being used as an exit route for US troops to the north along the weapons can be secured the US is very happy about the Turkish shop around that."

" Front. All right Major Garrett reporting live in Istanbul Turkey about president Obama's surprise visit to Baghdad Iraq thanks nature."