US, Iraq seek 'general time horizon' on troop cuts
Iraqi officials, in a sign of growing confidence as violence decreases, have been pressuring the United States to agree to a specific timeline to withdraw U.S. forces. The White House said Friday that the timeframe being discussed would not be "an arbitrary date for withdrawal."
Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki talked about the timing issue as part of discussions over a broader security agreement to keep American troops in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires on Dec. 31.
The White House says the two leaders, in a conversation on Thursday, agreed that the accord should include "a general time horizon for meeting aspirational goals, such as the resumption of Iraqi security control in their cities and provinces and the further reduction of U.S. combat forces from Iraq."
Iraq has proposed requiring U.S. forces to fully withdraw five years after the Iraqis take the lead on security nationwide — though that precondition could take years to meet.
Bush has vetoed legislation approved by the Democratic Congress setting deadlines for American troop cutbacks.
The White House statement said the timing of further reductions would be linked to improved security conditions. In recently weeks, Iraq's government has expressed increasing confidence about its authority and the country's improved stability.
The United States has handed control of 10 of 18 provinces to Iraqi officials.
The White House tried to make a distinction between talking with Iraqis about withdrawals and attempts by Congress to force cutbacks.
"I think it's important to remember that the discussions about timeline issues previously were from Democrats in Congress who wanted to arbitrarily retreat from Iraq — without consideration for conditions on the ground," White House deputy press secretary Scott Stanzel said.
"All of the discussions that we have always had have been based on conditions on the ground and making progress in the country and we are doing just that. We are making progress on the security situation," he said. "The number of attacks has dropped dramatically in recent months."
The U.S. military buildup in Iraq that began more than 18 months ago has ended. In recent days, the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade, the last of the five additional combat brigades sent in by Bush last year, left the country. There are still 150,000 U.S. troops in Iraq — as many as 15,000 more than before the buildup began.
Recent comments
It's time to remove the troops from Iraq. Too bad Mr. Bush...
Schooner Sailer | July 18, 2008 at 10:22 p.m.
It was meant as the truth - and that's something liberal'...
Brother Chuck Schroeder | July 18, 2008 at 6:15 p.m.
Wow was that meant as sarcasm or have you been listening to way too...
To Brother Chuck Schroeder | July 18, 2008 at 5:39 p.m.
