As you know, al-Maliki visited recently with President Obama. As testimony before us has demonstrated, on previous occasions when high-ranking Iraqi officials visited with a high-ranking American official, such as former Secretary of Defense Mr. Gates, attacks followed thereafter. The concern expressed to us was that such an attack could now follow as a result of the visit of al-Maliki with President Obama.
Is it your understanding that any assurances were asked for or given in that meeting? What should the United States be doing at this point?