U.S. Intelligence Chief Visits Iraq

Now United States Director of Intelligence, Negroponte's service as Ambassador to Honduras under Reagan was said to include support for the infamous Honduran death squads. He was America's first Ambassador -- and highest ranking civilian -- to Iraq following the transfer of 'sovereignity' in June 2004.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. National Intelligence Director John Negroponte was in Baghdad on Friday for previously unannounced talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi leader's office and Iraqi state television said.

The television gave no other details and U.S. Embassy officials were not immediately available for comment. Yassin Majid, the prime minister's spokesman, said the two men were in meetings in the Iraqi leader's office in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

Negroponte, whose visit was previously unannounced, had served as the American ambassador to Iraq before the current envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad.

"This visit is in the framework of a continuing series of meetings between the Iraqi government and the U.S. administration," Majid said without further elaboration.

From the Washington Post

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