US Troop Withdrawal Would Be Complete In Three Years Under New Plan, Iraqi Foreign Minister Says

In an interview with The Times of London, Iraq's Foreign Minister said that a new draft agreement with the United States would have troops out of the country in three years, with withdrawals beginning next summer.

In one of the most detailed insights yet into the content of the deal, Hoshyar Zebari, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, has also told The Times that the US military would be barred from unilaterally mounting attacks inside Iraq from next year.

In addition, the power of arrest for US soldiers would be curbed by the need to hand over any detainee to a new, US-Iraqi committee. Troops would require the green light from this joint command before conducting any operation.

The Pentagon refused to comment last night on the proposals laid out in the draft agreement between Baghdad and Washington that covers the status of US forces beyond 2008. Britain will strike its own deal with Iraq but Gordon Brown hopes to withdraw most British troops from Iraq by next summer, reducing the number of soldiers from 4,100 to "a few hundred" by then.

Click here to read the whole story.

Comments

[maxdenn]

To state the obvious. If the right wing candidate gets the nod it will be taken as a mandate and de facto approval by the public for the last almost eight years of gwbism. And will be presented as such and acted upon. And another thing, it's hardly up the the Iraq government, or its people when the occupation stops.

[Marlyn]

"If the right wing candidate gets the nod" ???

Greg Palast of BBC has a new DVD out, "The Election Files, The theft of 2008", which lays out how the GOP stole the 2000 and 2004 elections, and how they are stealing 2008 right now. It includes interviews with Robert Kennedy Jr. and fired US prosecutor David Iglesias.

www.GregPalast.com

[humuhumunukunukuapuaa]

BREAKING NEWS: Johnny Mac has issued a statement saying that pulling the troops out of Iraq in 36 months was "his plan" all along. We just "misunderestimated" him.

[firewmn]

what.. ??? .. you have got to be kidding me..!!!

[BabsfromKansas]

He is both stupid and nasty.

[treklady]

One of my favorite GWB words, I use it often in conversation with republican friends, they cringe every time.

[treklady]

Ah, my favorite GWB malapropism, I use it often in conversation with republicans to watch them cringe.

[mairs]

Misunderstandimated him. No wait. He doesn't mangle words, he just can't come up with any. Senator, when do you plan on withdrawing troops. Um... ah... uh.... get out of my face. That's not for you to know. What network are you from?

[galateadoro]

Obama's plan is the same as McCain's, we're in Iraq to stay. Obama wants to keep 80,000 troops in the country to guaranteed the theft of their oil, which is a Neocon wet dream.

[BabsfromKansas]

You are both stupid and nasty!

[BigLib]

Did you get any oil? I didn't.

[BCubedReg]

What?

[WLA]

Link plz. K thx.

[SMP]

you need to wash your mouth out with soap......­..........­.......get off the McCain train..its about to derail.

[firewmn]

true leadership from the next President of the United States...Barack Obama..!

[OilWarsDotCom]

Yea, right - another corporate puppet - Obama

[firewmn]

not quite.. you have again missled others .. as you truly speak of McCorporate


try again.. soileddrawers..

[suzyku]

Looks like flip flopper mcsame is WRONG again!

[humuhumunukunukuapuaa]

I see Iraq is insisting on the Obama Plan. Good!

[Nofuzzydreams]

Now 3 years = 36 months. I guess in your math 16 = 36. Kind of like the caucus math in Texas.

[BCubedReg]

As a vet who served in Iraq, I'm just happy we are getting out of there. Any timeline is better than Mr. "maybe a hundred years" McCain.

[robodweeb]

O.T....

CNN reporting that HRC's name will be put in nomination in Denver.

[Superbus]

It doesn't matter who wins in November, Obama or McCain. All the troops will not be out of Iraq until it is certain that the Iranians and al Qaeda are no longer a threat to Iraq's sovereignty.

Thems' the facts.

[AmandaBC]

Pffft!! The current Shia government in Iraq would very much like to be part of Iran...

[robodweeb]

Iran is buds with Iraq now (thanks GWB) and the only threat from AQI was the one we created.

The only real threat to Iraq's sovereignty was GWB.

[mairs]

Al Qaeda was never a threat to Iraq's sovereignty. Only we are. Oops, they don't have any sovereignty. Pardon me while I move this crushing foot off your throat, Iraq.

[OilWarsDotCom]

Using the words "Iraq" and "sovereignty" don't work here
Defination
"Sovereignty is the exclusive right to have control over an area of governance, people, or oneself."

[LCLiberal]

Obama's plan keeps winning endorsements. And McCain doesn't even flinch...

http://www.political-buzz.com/

[k6007]

Independent movement is difficult for vegetables.

[mnash]

So, if the troops are leaving starting next summer, how does it help MC? He said we couldn't leave because it "might" flare up again and we would have to go back in. We are not going to get the oil, they have given it away to some other country.

[Nyland8]

Is there a REAL journalist anywhere out there who can take the time and trouble to see if this timetable corresponds to any open contracts we still have ongoing in Iraq? I can't imagine that our military will ever be totally withdrawn so long as there are a lot of American bodies still running around the country performing shabby electrical work, leaving sewage pipes to hospitals unconnected, and still being paid cost+ combat wages, all the while generally failing to complete their contractural obligations.

Remember, as item 6 of the New World Order Manifesto tells us:

Wheresoever goweth our corporations, so goweth our Marines.

8

[Razz]

Bush said and is still saying if the Iraqis asked us to leave then we will leave.
Now Bush is saying if they really really ask us then we will leave. We still have a little bit of taxpayers’ money left to spend there. But if they really ask us to leave we will. But they have never asked us.

[OilWarsDotCom]

We have no "money" to spend - What "money" has been transfered to the corporations is borrowed money from other nations - Other nations that don't give a damm about the US, but don't mind loaning us "money" until we can't pay it back. Then they will stomp the crap out of us!

[Razz]

You are correct; we still have more debt to acquire.

[AmandaBC]

"Then they will stomp the crap out of us!"

By that time, the ne0con criminals will be sipping pina coladas on some tropical island, probably having a nice chat with Ken Lay...

[EggsBolinski]

With an Obama Presidency and his liberal throngs, the rest of the world's leaders especially the bad guys are gonna be about as afraid of the U.S. as we are of the Amish.

[comacoma]

Everyone laughs at you and your fear.

[KillgoreTrout43]

And this means what?

[Ish11]

Americans are not cowards, we don't want no one to fear us, we want respect. We are brave and we will always stand above fear. Keep your fear to yourself...COWERED!
BO '08

[RayPacNW]

So that's our measure of success - how much we are feared?

I would think how much we are hated would be more of a concern. And right now, that's quite a bit.

[OilWarsDotCom]

"Why they hate us?" Good read - seems WE are the problem
http://www.fff.org/freedom/fd0802b.asp

[Nofuzzydreams]

We want the world to love us and party with us with songs, dance and bong!!

[Nofuzzydreams]

That's why the Democrats are called weak on miltary defense. Can you say it is love that matters not fear and be proud to accept that label for your candidate through the election?? If yes, I respect you, if not, you are a hypocrit

[thefringecenter]

Thank you Mr. Trembles for all that you imagine while clutching your blankey.

[trollsbwild]

Sounds like more of a thumb sucker to me.

[returnofthejedi]

Question; why do you want the world to be AFRAID of the US? Is it because you yourself are the one afraid? I would rather the world look up to us because we are the best deal going instead of looking up to us because we have guns aimed at their women and children.

[VivaZapata]

Bush thought he could control the Iraqi spigot; now they're telling him to go away, and since he now professes concern with the sanctity of nations' sovereignty, he has no choice but to go. Ah for the days when the CIA could impact with assassinations and payoffs. The rest of the world is just too hip nowadays.

[Nyla785]

Why do I think this being said...being ENCOURAGED to be said....to help the Repubs in the Nov election?