Iraq PM urges 'speedy' US pullout

[justinsb]

Iraq PM urges 'speedy' US pullout

Iraq's interim Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari has called for US troops to leave the country soon, but added no timetable had been set for withdrawal.

Mr Jaafari was speaking in a joint press conference with US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who is in Baghdad on a surprise visit.

Mr Jaafari asked the US to train Iraqi troops faster and to begin handing security control over to local forces.

The top US commander in Iraq has said a withdrawal could begin in the spring.

Gen George Casey, speaking before Mr Jaafari made his comments, said if elections went ahead as planned at the end of the year and security improved, "we will still be able to make fairly substantial reductions... in the spring and summer of next year".

Mr Jaafari said any US withdrawal had to be co-ordinated with the Iraqi authorities.

"We do not want to be surprised," he said.

more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4720083.stm

[Liberal_Andy]

1. "Peace with honor"

:rofl: <------- he's really crying

[FloridaPat]

2. Right in time for the 2006 elections. If we start pulling out, how many

repubs do you think will get elected.