Britain urges Bush to set out Iraq withdrawal timetable

[cal04]

Britain is urging America to announce a timetable for withdrawing coalition troops from Iraq over the next 18 months or more. With a new Iraqi government due to take power after next week's elections, The Telegraph has learned that British officials believe the time is ripe for the coalition to announce an "indicative timetable" for its departure. An Iraqi family watch as a US patrol passes them in Khatoon

There would no firm deadline and the withdrawal would depend on the gradual ability of Iraq's armed forces to take over responsibility for security – probably not before the middle of next year. Such an announcement would be the first time the coalition had set a clear target for leaving.

British officials say that a timetable, however tentative, would signal an exit strategy, bolster the transitional government and undermine the insurgents' claim that America intended to occupy Iraq indefinitely. The Government is hopeful that President George W Bush will agree to make a formal announcement within two or three months.

"Giving a timetable would be an important political signal that we intend to leave Iraq," a well-placed Whitehall source said. "The main Iraqi parties are already talking about when coalition forces should be drawn down. America knows it will have to deal with the issue soon." Washington has resisted committing itself to a pull-out date for its 150,000 troops, fearing that it would be seen as a sign of weakness and encourage the gunmen.


http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/01/20/wirq20.xml

[NYC]

1. ...over the next 18 months or more...

No urgency, I guess.

[hadrons]

2. jeez, Dumbya does what Dumbya wants ...

why do these dumb shits think he's going to take their advice

[JohnyCanuck]

3. Quit trying to baffle us with bullshit Tony.

You know Bush and the neocons have no intention of leaving those 14 permanent bases in Iraq, one of the real reasons the PNACers were so hot to trot to send Boy George on his Iraqi crusade adventure in the first place.

[uhhuh]

4. Here's a Thought

Why don't the British announce a timetable for withdrawl?

The last time I checked, Bliar was supposed to be the one to decide what stupid military adventures his country involved itself in, and how long they would stay.

If the British govt. is anxious to get out, they can do what so many of the coalition of the bought have done and leave.

Why does the poodle have to bark and scratch to be let out when he has a fully functional doggie door?

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. No, the British govt has admitted that the USA forced it into the war

because the UK no longer has control over its own armed forces.

The heart of the argument in March 2003 was whether we could allow Dr. Blix and his colleagues more time to complete their inspections. The problem was that, although we wanted to allow Dr. Blix more time, there was not an effective international consensus for doing so.

Jack Straw, Foreign Secretary, House of Commons 12th Oct 2004

I don't know how Britain will be allowed to decide where its armed forces go, while Blair is in power. Hopefully our next Prime Minister will have some concept of sovereignty.

[Mr Creosote]

7. Why not?

Because Blair doesn't WANT to get out. He justs wants something that'll sound convincing until May 5th, then we'll carry on as before.

[Solly Mack]

5. Exit strategy? This is the war on terror, silly!

There is NO exit strategy....it's war without end.

[pinniped]

8. Someone send the toy poodle the memo...

The troops aren't going anywhere with the POS* in charge.

--undermine the insurgents' claim that America intended to occupy Iraq indefinitely--

It is a fact.