Reporters on the Job

• Keep it brief, please: Correspondent Sam Dagher was struck Sunday by how eager Iraqi officials were to keep press conference appearances with Iran's President Ahmedinejad (see story) to a bare minimum.

"At President Jalal Talabani's residence, he and Ahmedinejad spent 10 minutes professing their 'brotherly' love for each other in opening statements," says Sam. "Then it was two and a half minutes taking questions, with Mr. Talabani not hiding his disdain and impatience with some of the questions posed by reporters."

Among those reporters was the Monitor's Awadh al-Taiee, who, Sam says, had braved mortar threats, closed roads, and multiple checkpoints to get there.

Later, at Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's office, a second conference lasted some 18 minutes. Controversial matters, particularly those relating to America, were not addressed, Sam says.

Iran's president exhibited his characteristic approach, Sam says: When asked about President Bush's remarks that he stop supporting terror, Ahmedinejad smiled and said: "Really, he said this? You heard him say this?"

THE WEEK AHEAD

•Monday, March 3 Vienna – International Atomic Energy Agency board meets.

•Tuesday, March 4 Washington – President Bush and Mrs. Bush welcome King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan.

•Wednesday, March 5 Vienna – OPEC meets to consider cutting production amid high crude prices.

•Thursday, March 6 Beijing – New Zealand expected to sign free-trade agreement with China.