Talabani Speaks About US Troop withdrawal, Syria and Saddam's Confessions

I personally don't have anything against the Iraqi President, the unfortunately named Jalal Talabani, but his statements are further evidence of the muddle that is the occupation of Iraq. First he says that 50,000 US troops should be out by year's end. The Pentagon and White House get wind of this via WaPost and an aide for the Iraqi prez back-peddles. Speaking on the same day that US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad essentially issued an ultimatum to Syria, Talabani preferred not to speak critically of his neighbor. Finally Talabani insists that Saddam confessed to killing Kurds in the '80's, something that the deposed dictatot's attorneys continue to deny. What the heck is going on here? Can't anyone involved in Iraq speak with authority? If the White House can't tell Talabani what to say shouldn't they at least be talking to him to see what he is going to say? It is nothing short of embarrassing that the administration can't get on the same page with Talabani at this stage of the game.