So, what's going on with SCIRI's Al-Hakim in Houston?

The WaPo has a bit more about SCIRI leader al Hakim's medical visit to the US.

In a reflection of Hakim's stature, President Bush authorized immediate transportation to get Hakim from Iraq to the United States, an administration source said yesterday. Vice President Cheney played a role in arranging for Hakim to see U.S. military doctors in Baghdad, who made the original diagnosis, and for the current medical treatment in Houston, the sources said.

That's alot of involvement for a medical visit. I'm still guessing that Al-Hakim is coming for a clandestine meeting. Houston is about 4 hours from Crawford by car, much less by air.

The Bushes are spending the weekend in Crawford, Texas. On Sunday and Monday, they will host NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and his wife, Jeannine.

And, I'll ask again: although we do have a top flight medical community here, there's not another medical facility between Iraq and Houston without the political implications for the SCIRI leader?

(A pre-meeting for the Iran talks?)

LATER: Now it's Talabani coming to the US. However, as Talabani has significant, established health problems, I would guess his three week trip to Mayo is required.

But, how will the politics in Iraq go on without him? He is about the only major figure that commands respect from other factions.