Iraqi leaders confident of no hasty withdrawal

[unhappycamper]

Iraqi leaders confident of no hasty withdrawal
By Robert H. Reid - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Nov 5, 2008 21:09:59 EST

BAGHDAD — Iraqi officials said Wednesday they don’t expect Barack Obama to withdraw U.S. troops hastily from Iraq because he told them last summer that he wouldn’t make a decision without consulting them and U.S. commanders on the ground.

With violence down and the economy No. 1 on American voters’ minds, the Iraqis said they believe the new president will take his time before fulfilling his promise to end the war in Iraq, which costs U.S. taxpayers $12 billion a month at a time of financial crisis back home.

Exit polls Tuesday showed that only one in 10 American voters considered Iraq their main concern in choosing a president, suggesting that Obama will focus more on the economy when he takes office Jan. 20.

“Obama has to deal with Iraq’s issues in a positive way and have a sense of responsibility to correct the situation in Iraq, as well the situation inside America,” said Salim Abdullah, spokesman of the largest Sunni bloc in parliament.

“We are not concerned that he will take a unilateral decision to remove troops quickly from Iraq since he needs to discuss this issue with the Iraqi government first,” Abdullah said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_iraq_election_reax_110508/%2e