Mikhail Gorbachev: US Needs to Exit Iraq

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/17/1942/

US Needs to Exit Iraq
by Mikhail Gorbachev

Clashes between U.S. troops and insurgents throughout Iraq, political maneuvering in the United States over its presence there and the repercussions of that presence around the world leave no doubt that the Bush administration’s hopes for a turnaround have been frustrated.

The recent American troop “surge” has only increased the grim statistics of military casualties, civilian deaths and overall devastation. The U.S Congress reluctantly approved funding for the continued troop presence without requiring a date for withdrawal. But despite claims of victory, media reports suggest that the Bush team understands its current Iraq policies have run their course.

The administration is reportedly considering a 50 per cent reduction of troops in Iraq next year, as well as changing their mandate from combat missions to support and training. There’s renewed interest in the recommendations of the Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group, brushed aside only a few months ago. The administration has begun consulting Iraq’s neighbours, Iran and Syria.

So even those who like to persist in their mistakes and illusions are being forced to rethink or, at least repackage, their policies. But is this a real change for the better? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

No.

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Think long and hard before trying to solve any problem militarily. Talk of all other peaceful means as exhausted is often baseless: An alternative is always available. If, however, a great power makes the mistake of entangling itself in an armed conflict, it shouldn’t make things worse by arrogantly refusing to heed warnings of dire consequences.

Finally, and most importantly, it should be understood from the start that ultimately there must be a political solution to these conflicts. Seek it honestly, thinking not just of your own self-interest, and look years, not just months, ahead.




Mikhail Gorbachev served as the leader of the former Soviet Union from 1985 until its collapse in 1991. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990, he is currently president of the International Foundation for Socio-Economic and Political Studies (The Gorbachev Foundation).

[whistle]

1. Excellent suggestion and I'm bookmarking The Gorbachev Foundation site

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International Foundation for Socio-Economic and Political Studies

With its extensive international viewpoints, IISE will detect and analyze major changes
in business environment and socio-economic activities, which will emerge from the development of the information society. Through its research and analysis, IISE will present innovative ideas and suggestions to a wide range of customers while also strengthening its international outreach.

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From the Gorbachev Foundation

Reports in the Mass Media

06.06.2007 Gorbachev to U.S.: Let''s not repeat the Cold War


Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said Wednesday that U.S. plans to build a missile defense shield in Europe are arrogant and threaten to usher in a new Cold War.

Speaking to CNN from Moscow as the Group of Eight Summit got under way in Germany, Gorbachev said the U.S. proposal - which includes installations in Poland and the Czech Republic -- means that Europe is becoming a target again.
«I do hope the Cold War is not going to be repeated», he said. «We must take advantage of opportunities to avoid that».
He said polls in the Czech Republic suggested that more than 70 percent of people opposed the missile defense program.
«There is the possibility that self-confidence, arrogance, will lead to a situation similar to that with the war in Iraq», Gorbachev warned in a wide-ranging discussion of American policy. «The U.S. is driving itself into a corner -- they've lost credibility in the world».
He said Washington's «intimidating» behavior is different from the spirit that existed after the end of the Cold War. «Europe is not a guinea pig», he said.
Gorbachev added that Russian President Vladimir Putin was right to say the anti-missile project is an attempt to set Europe against Russia. «We are being drawn into another arms race», he said.
Gorbachev was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 until its dissolution in 1991. He presided over a thaw in his country's icy relations with the United States and its move toward glasnost, or openness, in the 1980s. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.
On Iran, Gorbachev agreed that a nuclear-armed Tehran must be opposed. But he said that starting a war would be a «catastrophic mistake».
«Some people think that missiles can solve everything», he said, without specifying. «We were told in this way the problem of Iraq would be resolved».
Gorbachev said the international community had not yet exhausted political and diplomatic options and added that he sees no value to introducing sanctions against Iran.
Gorbachev said that Russian democracy is growing despite its problems. He noted that the courts don't work and some media outlets have made deals with the authorities. But there is now, he said, a relatively free press.
Russia is moving from a totalitarian regime to democracy, he said, but it is only halfway there.
Meanwhile, President Bush on Wednesday promised to work toward resolving the political tensions between the U.S. and Russia that threaten to overshadow this week's G8 gathering in Heiligendamm, Germany, near Rostock.
«Russia is not an enemy», Bush said when asked about Putin's threat to point missiles at European targets in protest of American plans for a Europe-based missile defense system.


<link> http://www.gorby.ru/en/default.asp