Clark: Begin Troop Withdrawls

[Clarkie1]

By Garentina Kraja
Associated Press

PRISTINA, Serbia-Montenegro — Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark called Thursday for transition of authority in Iraq during the course of this year and said that the United States should soon begin the process of withdrawing the U.S. soldiers.

Clark, a four-star general who served as the supreme commander of NATO in 1997-2000 and unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, said the fledging Iraqi government must take charge and be given the means to address the security in the country.

“It’s necessary ... to make this year a year of transition in Iraq,” Clark told The Associated Press in an interview during his visit to Kosovo. “The Iraqi government must take charge.”

He said that ministers of interior, defense and national security should be appointed, but also said that a lot of help is needed from the international community to strengthen the Iraqi government in meeting the needs of the people.

“And then we should begin the process of withdrawing the U.S. soldiers and other coalition soldiers from Iraq,” said Clark.

“I do think that there should be no permanent bases there. I think that the United States should soon begin its process of redeployment,” he said, adding that he believed there will be “some withdrawals very soon given where we are.”

http://www.navytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1825852.php

[Mass]

1. Good to read that.

[halobeam]

2. I agree too, but

are we really planning to leave the permanent bases we are building/built there? Don't believe that for a minute. Oh, wait... then again, there is NO plan.. for ANYTHING.

[AX10]

3. Wes Clark 08'!