Daniel Schorr: Exit strategy now on table

[Barrett808]

(CSM) - With the election just about a year off and public support for American involvement in Iraq waning, the Bush administration has begun searching for an exit strategy that will not further destabilize that beleaguered country.

The administration continues to rule out sending U.S. reinforcements. Instead it's studying a phased withdrawal of troops, to be replaced by a newly reconstituted Iraqi army - an idea vaguely reminiscent of the Nixon plan to "Vietnamize" the war in Vietnam.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has been talking about Iraqizing the anti-insurgency war by replacing U.S. troops on a phased schedule. Having disbanded the 500,000-man army - which some Pentagon officials now call a mistake - U.S. authorities intend to call back enough Iraqis for 27 battalions. There are 100,000 Iraqis in uniform under accelerated training and clearance. Mr. Rumsfeld hopes to have 200,000 by next year.

The Philadelphia Inquirer quotes a Pentagon official saying, "We should turn this over to someone else and get out as fast as possible." At the moment, this is mainly military talk. But political advisers must be considering how it will look as the campaign heats up if U.S. troops are bogged down and suffering casualties.

(more)

http://www.modbee.com/24hour/opinions/story/1045749p-7351591c.html