Reuters: Divided US wants clearer Iraq policy

[Stockholm]

By Carol Giacomo, Diplomatic Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nearly three years after most Americans backed President George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq, a divided nation is increasingly demanding a clearer strategy for reducing the U.S. role and bringing the troops home.

A U.S. Senate challenge on Bush's Iraq policy this week was only one largely symbolic step in a complicated, politically charged process and there is little expectation that it presages a quick withdrawal of all 153,000 American troops.

But the Senate resolution sent a message that Iraqis must to assume more responsibility for securing their fractured country by the end of 2006 and that Bush's administration must be clearer in its goals and the means to achieve them.

The call from the Republican controlled Senate came amid an aggressive White House counter-offensive against critics of the administration's use of prewar intelligence, now discredited, which alleged Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.

http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=uri:2005-11-17T212719Z_01_SCH773114_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-USA-SHIFT.xml&pageNumber=0&summit=

[twaddler01]

1. Yes, yes we do

Haven't we been saying that for a long time?

[LeftNYC]

2. Whats the poll numbers?

Divided may not be the right word

[Burried News]

3. I don't want a clearer policy. I want a completely different policy.

The next bushit they will be pushing is enclaves.

[Maggie_May]

4. We did what we went

in for now its time to come home. We liberated the Iraqi people from Saddam we found no WMD. Sorry Bush and Cheney we are not going to put up with this crap anymore. Stick your oil where the sun don't shine!

[wookie294]

5. The nation is not divided about Iraq

A majority of Americans want troops out within 12 months. Not very controversial.

[Solly Mack]

6. I'm not even sure what the Iraq policy is

so far it seems to be : invade illegally, kill needlessly, torture freely,people die plentifully, and thugs rob the coffers of both countries - and lie about it from beginning to end

Which seems pretty clear when you think about it...so maybe I want a different policy entirely

I'm just saying

[bemildred]

7. United US wants an end to the occupation of Iraq. nt

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. What policy? Do we have a policy?

News to me.