Iraq says may agree timetable for U.S. withdrawal

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki raised the prospect on Monday of setting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops as part of negotiations over a new security agreement with Washington.

It was the first time the U.S.-backed Shi'ite-led government has floated the idea of a timetable for the removal of American forces from Iraq. The Bush administration has always opposed such a move, saying it would benefit militant groups.

In a statement, Maliki's office said the prime minister made the comments about the security pact -- which will replace a U.N. mandate for the presence of U.S. troops that expires on December 31 -- to Arab ambassadors in the United Arab Emirates.

"In all cases, the basis for any agreement will be respect for the full sovereignty of Iraq," the statement quoted Maliki as saying.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080707/wl_nm/iraq_dc;_

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Iraq's al-Maliki wants short-term US agreement

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Iraq has proposed a short-term memorandum of understanding with the United States rather than trying to hammer through a formal agreement on the presence of U.S. forces, the country's prime minister said Monday.

The Iraqi government proposed the memorandum after widespread Iraqi opposition to United States demands emerged during talks on a more formal Status of Forces Agreement. Some type of agreement is needed to keep U.S. troops in Iraq after a United Nations mandate expires at year's end.

The proposed memorandum includes a formula for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, al-Maliki told several Arab ambassadors to the United Arab Emirates during a meeting Monday.

"The goal is to end the presence" of foreign troops, said al-Maliki.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080707/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_ylt=ArNH3__d0FWNU8yKogpyd1JvaA8F

[rox63]

1. Sounds like they are eager to see * leave office

Just like us.

[eagleswing963]

2. You mean they can tell us to leave?

But I thought Halliburton owned Iraq?

How dare the Iraqis tell us to leave their country!!

After all if we leave, they'll invade the U.S. with their millions of warships!!!

You do know I am sh*tting you!!

[miles 2 go]

3. Is this the response to Obama's plan

to get out of Iraq? Is Shrubco trying to take some of the wind out of Obama's platform?

[margotb822]

4. What is McCain going to say now?

"Well stay for 100 years because they want us, errr, I mean, I want to!"

I guess that takes the wind out of their sails!!

[dsomuah]

5. Iraq floats US pullout timetable

Source: BBC.com

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has raised the prospect of setting a timetable for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.

It comes as the US attempts to push through a new security deal before the end of 2008, when the UN mandate allowing a US presence in Iraq expires.

The Pentagon has played down the suggestion of a withdrawal timetable.

But correspondents say Iraqi MPs would be more likely to back Mr Maliki if the deal includes such a timetable.


Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7493782.stm

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If anyone has reason to oppose US withdrawal from Iraq it's the Iraqi government. So what does it say about the merit of a withdrawal timetable if even they are coming around to supporting it.

[jody]

6. If * and Iraq agree to a withdrawal timetable, that could reduce the pressure on McCain. He could

accept the agreement with the attendant hoopla and force Obama to agree.

That would minimize the Iraq war as a campaign issue.

I wonder which of the two candidates would be the net beneficiary from such an agreement?

[northernlights]

8. Obama would benefit, without a doubt

McCain's sole "strong suit" against Obama is his military background and the war.

Take the focus off the war, and it shifts irreversibly to THE ECONOMY. (Which is where it is quite frankly likely to be etched it granite, anyway, by November.)

And we all know how McCain doesn't really know the economy. Oh yeah, he's fixing that by reading a book. That oughtta make him an expert. At least, to his natural audience who likely never read a book.

[jody]

9. I hope you are correct re Obama. IMO what ever is negotiated will be influenced by its affect on

McCain's campaign.

[Tempest]

7. The Pentagon has said no way in hell

US Pentagon official Bryan Whitman played down Mr Maliki's suggestion.

"Timelines tend to be artificial in nature," he told reporters.

"In a situation where things are as dynamic as they are in Iraq... it's usually best to look at these things based on conditions on the ground."

[Javaman]

10. How many ways in farsi can the pentagon find to say, "eat shit"?

since when does our colony dictate to us? the nerve!

:banghead:

[superconnected]

11. Be careful driving to work Mr. Maliki

Bush doesn't want to withdraw - all those defense contractors would lose money.

[Javaman]

12. Maliki is forgetting that that crick in his neck is actually the US miltarys

knee in his back.