Early pullout could open Iraq to piracy

[unhappycamper]

Early pullout could open Iraq to piracy
The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Nov 22, 2008 13:10:45 EST

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s defense minister is warning that a premature U.S. pullout would expose Iraq to the danger of piracy in the Persian Gulf.

Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi says U.S. forces currently protect Iraqi ports and their hasty withdrawal would have “grave consequences” and endanger Iraq’s security and sovereignty.

He told reporters Saturday that an early pullout would allow the kind of rampant piracy taking place in the Gulf of Aden to happen in the Persian Gulf.

Pirates have wreaked havoc on shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden over the past year, seizing dozens of ships off the coast of Somalia. Some have been released for ransom.

Iraq exports oil from its southern port of Basra. Iraq depends on oil for more than 90 percent of its national budget.


Article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_iraqpiracy_112208/%2e



uhc comment: A late pullout could open America to bankruptcy.