US troops to be out in 12 months

[ECH1969]

US TROOPS could hand control of Baghdad to Iraqi police by the end of this year, a senior US military official said, echoing comments from Iraq's new Government about its security plans.

The official said Najaf and Kerbala provinces could be under the full control of Iraqi police within three months, while Babil and Baghdad to the north of them could be ready for it December. He did not comment on other provinces than those four central ones.

Britain plans to hand at least one of the four southern provinces it polices from Basra over to Iraqi control next month. Neighbouring Najaf and Kerbala, under supervision of the US division based in Baghdad, are also relatively calm.

"Within the next couple of months we are going to be OK in Najaf and Kerbala ... (and) expect to hand over the southern battle space by August," the US official in Baghdad told reporters at a briefing conducted on condition of anonymity.

http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19282762-5003402,00.html

[alphafemale]

1. Because they'll be needed in Iran. nt

[grytpype]

2. This is going to be a total disaster.

We can't stay in Iraq but pulling out would make things worse.

[AndyTiedye]

24. Not Sure What You are Suggesting

Seems like staying is just prolonging the agony of everyone involved.

[kenny blankenship]

3. "Handing control" and being out may be two very different things

I doubt Bush ever wanted to be out of Iraq, and I doubt he ever will be.

[Nashyra]

5. Election Rhetoric

Here goes the Nov. election bullshit meter, off the charts. I pray that the voters or least the vast majority remember "Mission Accomplished" see through the BS.

[Dulcinea]

20. We'll never completely leave Iraq.

It's our new ME base of operations. We got kicked out of Saudi Arabia. Hence, the huge fortress Halliburton's building over there. We must protect our oil & Israel if it's attacked.

[Clarkie1]

4. MIght want to consider editing to "Some US troops to be out in 12 months"

"He did not comment on other provinces than those four central ones. "

[uppityperson]

21. or "Some COULD" be out.

could be, could be could be could be. You still complaining? Why? We said they could be. :sarcasm:

[Turbineguy]

6. This may work out.

Without US (and allied) Troops, there can be no "collaborators". The Iraqis will have to solve their own problems. God knows, the US Neocons who started this cannot.

If the Iraqis can get their country to function reasonably well, Bush will no doubt try to take credit, but it is unlikely that the Iraqis will let him, as it will be their hard work. Anyway, most of the rest of the world knows he's a buffoon.

[Divernan]

7. A pre-November election promise which will NOT be kept!

The operative word is COULD, i.e, the US troops COULD hand control of Baghdad . . .

This is just more pie in the sky crap for GOP to campaign on. More of the, "They'll be throwing flowers at us as we march into Baghdad. How every simple to say in late November - well we really, really wanted to bring them out, but recent developments . . . .

[Skittles]

9. so f***ing transparent

GAWD I DESPISE THESE REPUG BASTARDS FOR USING OUR TROOPS AS AN ELECTION TOOL

[struggle4progress]

17. Exactly.

[AnOhioan]

8. We will leave Iraq when hell freezes over.

The lies just keep piling up. There was never any intention of leaving. Control? Yes, So US corporations can continue making obscene profits from Iraq's oil. That has not occured yet but it is the ultimate goal.

Iraq is a US colony...it is long past time for that particular realization.

[Divernan]

10. The troops will be in the Vatican City size Embassy Fortress being built

So, you see, TECHNICALLY, they'll have been pulled out of Baghdad because the gigantic Embassy walled grounds are considered US soil.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

11. Hmmmm

that is an interesting concept.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

12. This is what we all want, RIGHT?

Transparent or not, fewer dead Americans.

[VegasWolf]

16. Personally, I would like to see all the troops home and end this oil war

rather than a token 20,000 - 30,000. It won't happen of course, Bush needs the bulk of troops there to protect his oil. Especially with the Kurds threatening oil autonomy in the North. The article mentions only 4 providences are ready to turn over. This will give the Bush bots plenty of reasons to stay there and protect civilization (Halliburton, Exxon, BP ) from the dangerous insurgents.

[Nostradammit]

29. And fewer dead Iraqis

.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

30. Amen

Dona nobis pacem.

[peacetalksforall]

13. These are just words to counter the massacre news that's coming? n/t.

[reprobate]

14. Poor George. What a quandry he's in. Invaded Iraq for the oil, but

If we pull out he loses the oil, which was the point of the whole PNAC thing. But if he doesn't pull out the Repuglicans are up the proverbial effluent tributary with no visible means of locomothion.

He'll be know as the Pretzeldent who started a war for no gain.

Ya gotta feel something for him. Pity? No, how about disgust? The guy has NEVER BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT ANYTHING. Why should he be expected to be successful at war?

[Ilsa]

18. He is the epitome of "Loser". If it wasn't for his family's

wealth and connections, he'd be less than a drunken coke fiend on the street. Maybe he'd be running a meth house. But he'd never be the success that is Bill Clinton or Wes Clark or others that really did move from poverty to prosperity with determination, a little good luck, and maybe some govt funding through special programs, and the wisdom to take advantage of opportunities given them.

[xxqqqzme]

32. W/O family money & connections, I have him pegged

as a death row resident because he is a serial killer.

[norml]

15. Promises Promises

Believe it when you see it.

[alcibiades_mystery]

19. What a fucking accomplishment

four years later, to hand the running of a city over to the - gasp - police! Has it ever been done in the history of righteous military action? Has anything ever succeeded with such speed???

:sarcasm:

[OneBlueSky]

22. IF that happens -- and it's a big IF -- it will mean that . . .

the largest embassy in the world is ready for occupancy, and that the US will have established its permanent presence in the region . . . its own little Vatican City inside Iraq, if you will . . .

[Marie26]

23. Isn't that what they said 12 months ago? nt

[Trajan]

25. Democrats win Congress in 6 months ...

Take office in 8 months ....

Let's hope they see the light ...

[sofa king]

26. This sounds familiar. Anyone have Lexis or Westlaw?

Someone with access to a proper news database might wish to dive in there and see if a very similar statement was made about this time last year... and the year before that... and the year before that.

Sort of like Dr. Condoleeza Rice's Iraq Stabilization Group, which Mr. Bush courageously set up to help reconstruct in Iraq in 2003... and which Mr. Bush http://thinkprogress.org/2005/12/14/rice-again/&location=http%3A//news.ft.com/cms/s/a110dfb0-6cc0-11da-90c2-0000779e2340,_i_rssPage=80fdaff6-cbe5-11d7-81c6-0820abe49a01.html">bravely set up again in 2005.

The troops will always be home by Christmas. Which particular Christmas is another story altogether.

[rocktivity]

27. All together now

:boring:
rocknation

[acmavm]

28. Oh for Pete's sake, he's lied about EVERYTHING from day one, does

anyone think he's telling the truth about this????????

[HuffleClaw]

31. that is clearly a MISPRINT

i think its really supposed to read thusly: "US TROOPS could hand control of Baghdad to Iraqi police right during the height of the coming US midterm election campaign. Bush is dusting off the 'mission accomplished banner'...

[proud2BlibKansan]

33. What a misleading headline!

The first sentence says COULD, yet the headline doesn't reflect that.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

34. To be= could.

You need to update your New Dictionary.

Other New entries:

Didn't= did.
Failure= success
Broke= rich
Oligarchy= democracy
Corporation= middle class
Indictment= oppressed
Deficit= surplus
New Ideas= same old shit

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. Thanks I will get right on that

LOL

[Blackthorn]

36. Not. Happening. Ever. n/t

[TheCowsCameHome]

37. Bull Crap. I heard this morning that another 1,500 troops were being

deployed to bolster the trouble spots in Iraq.

Does anyone really believe we are going to begin a pull-out???????????

[jwirr]

38. IF you listen to *ss and Blair and forget that there is an election

coming up.