The United States will hand Iraq a new timetable on security role

[habitual]

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/21/frontpage/web.1021security.php

By DAVID S. CLOUD The New York Times

Published: October 21, 2006

The Bush administration is drafting a timetable for the Iraqi government to address sectarian divisions and assume a larger role in securing the country, senior American officials said.

Details of the blueprint, which is to be presented to Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki before the end of the year and would be carried out over the next year and beyond, are still being devised. But the officials said that for the first time Iraq was likely to be asked to agree to a schedule of specific milestones, like disarming sectarian militias, and to a broad set of other political, economic and military benchmarks intended to stabilize the country.

Although the plan would not threaten Maliki with a withdrawal of American troops, several officials said the Bush administration would consider changes in military strategy and other penalties if Iraq balked at adopting it or failed to meet critical benchmarks within it.

A senior Pentagon official involved in drafting the blueprint said that Iraqi officials were being consulted as the plan evolved and would be invited to sign off on the milestones before the end of the year. But he added, "If the Iraqis fail to come back to us on this, we would have to conduct a reassessment" of the American strategy in Iraq.

Edit: Chopped article (posted entire article by error first time!!)

[leftchick]

you need to snip this to four paragraphs

other than that... Yeah! New Time tables!!! That is the ticket!!!!

[habitual]

2. thanx, i thought i did

then when i checked the message it was ALL there... hehe fixed.

[Mass]

1. Did they give a "withdrawal date" - If not, it is more of the same.

[saltpoint]

3. It seems to me that security is going to be in flux until electricity

and running water are more universally restored/provided.

Customarily it would suggest that the pre-emptive occupiers valued the quality of lives of the people whose country they're occupying.

I somehow doubt that this was discussed much at today's Bush admin powwow.

[Beetwasher]

4. Kabuki

Meaningless benchmarks w/ no resources or support to actually achieve them. Pathetic.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

5. What was the old "timetable?"

Nothing but horseshit.

[rodeodance]

7. I do not think they were given one.

[Mass]

9. Sure, but they kept moving it as it was not reached, and according to

this article, they will continue.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

10. You think right.

[rodeodance]

6. before the end of the year "--JUST to be given to the PM???!!

[Mass]

8. This sentence says it all - Even if you dont do it, we will not leave.

Although the plan would not threaten Maliki with a withdrawal of American troops, several officials said the Bush administration would consider changes in military strategy and other penalties if Iraq balked at adopting it or failed to meet critical benchmarks within it.

[bemildred]

11. Please review the new org-chart and submit your comments by Monday. nt

[Rose Siding]

12. Blank day planners for everyone's holiday giving

They make lovely gifts
http://www.visionsportz.com.nyud.net:8090/images/DayPlanner.jpg

[katinmn]

13. What crap. The are telling voters they will do something substative

after the election.

Bull Shit.

A better plan is to neuter Bush in November by voting out the chickenhawk corporate-whore war-profiteering pedophile Republicans. Force Rumsfeld and Rice out. Appoint some real generals not these PR hacks who are in charge of this disaster.

[TheCowsCameHome]

14. When would that be? 2300 instead of 2400?

My, what an improvement.

[rodeodance]

15. U.S. encourages Iraqi government to take more responsibility (new plan)

Posted on Sat, Oct. 21, 2006

U.S. encourages Iraqi government to take more responsibility

By John Walcott

McClatchy Newspapers

(MCT)

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration will intensify its efforts to prod the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki to take greater responsibility for governing and pacifying the country, senior U.S. officials said Saturday.

The new plan, which is still being developed, calls for Maliki and other Iraqi leaders to agree to a series of milestones in 2007 for disarming Iraq's sectarian militias, restoring its economic infrastructure, rooting out official corruption, expanding government services and strengthening local governments, the officials said.

President Bush discussed the plan, as well as broader strategic and tactical issues in Iraq, with his top military commanders on Saturday, and the officials stressed that any effort to step up the pressure on the Iraqi government would be consistent with the president's longtime strategy.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld alluded to the evolving plan on Friday, when he said of the Iraqis: "It's their country. They're going to have to govern it, they're going to have to provide security for it, and they're going to have to do it sooner rather than later.".......

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/15817336.htm

[rodeodance]

16. benchmarks is the new term for timetable

[Mass]

17. No, benchmark is the new term for "no deadline".

I really want to be optimistic, but we have been thru there again and again.

They do not want to leave, but there is an election in less than 3 weeks and a grumpy military. They have to say something.

[LiberalFighter]

22. What does he know about benchmarks?

[rodeodance]

18. says Bush now has a PLAN---could relieve pressure for Repugs nov 7.

The new tactic could take some pressure off Republican candidates in next month's elections at a time when many are finding it increasingly difficult to defend the administration's "stay the course" rhetoric. It also could blunt Democratic calls for a new direction in Iraq or for a phased withdrawal of American forces.

[TheCowsCameHome]

19. Prod them with what? Because Bush says so?

What a joke.

[wtmusic]

20. Yeah, it's their country, Donnie, which you bombed the hell out of

now THEY'RE going to have to provide security for it, and do it "sooner rather than later?"

Whyncha get your ass over there and help? :shrug:

[bigbrother05]

21. &

The new plan, which is still being developed, calls for Bush and other Republicans to agree to a series of milestones in 2006 for disarming america's corrupt capitalism, restoring its economic infrastructure, rooting out official corruption, expanding government services and strengthening local governments. He He

[Solly Mack]

23. Cover your ass by blaming the victim

It's the Iraqis fault American troops are in Iraq and those Iraqis had better start getting it right so our troops can come home

LMAO