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

[alaintex]

Winding Down

December 31, 2008
United Nations mandate authorising presence of US-led forces in Iraq expires

January 2009
New US president sworn in (((((((((((((( We all know who that will be )))))))))))))))

Summer 2009
Number of British Forces in Iraq could drop to a few hundred from 4,100

Summer 2009
US troops due to start to pull out of small bases in some cities across Iraq to large camps outside, security conditions permitting

2010-11
All combat forces to withdraw from Iraq provided that security conditions on the ground allow

[robodweeb]

You left out the part about how a resurgent al Qaeda, neglected during the Iraq fiasco, launched another attack from their safe haven in Pakistan.

[firstwizard]

And don't forget that somehow it will be the total fault of the Democrats because the Republicans protected us so well while they were in power.

[Furby]

The UN did not authorize or mandate the presence of US-led forces in Iraq, so there's no expiry date on that one, but I like the scenario nonetheless. Are you working on a novel?

[mouselion]

I guess this means we "won".

[cungar]

Does anyone really belive we're going to leave those 30 permanent bases behind?

[Ammobob]

Well, if we do, they''ll be TEMPORARY then, right?

[AlwaysFairDem]

I expect Obama to dismantle those bases...it only serves us to look like we are bullies. You don't solve problems by building bases but by deplomatic efforts to ensure the country is in an economical equal playing field.

[k6007]

SELL 'em to the eyeracky army. They can afford it...We can't.

[Sparky123]

This story seals Obama's defeat. McCain will get the credit.

[alaintex]

Should have read the article...


"Mr Zebari said that the agreement also made no provision for permanent US military bases in the country – a point of contention for the Iraqi public. "

[koyak23]

a further indication of Obama's excellent judgment in foreign policy. now he needs to issue a policy on the Russia-Georgia conflict and solve that problem before the convention. It's nice to know that we will have a competent president back in the White House !

[Hirnlego]

Keep dreaming. Some might be removed but far from all.
And that is not freedom.

[oscartucker]

why are you using this "sour grapes" attitude here?

[ChiGuy]

And what will the average voter remember?
That O was POTUS when it happened.

[alaintex]

The “time horizon” for the exit of US troops would depend upon the ability of the Iraqi police and army to maintain security gains in Iraq after a surge of US forces in 2007 helped to push violence to its lowest levels in 4½ years.

Interesting.

[Ammobob]

Will Iraq be strong enuff to withstand IRAN? Will IRAN be strong enuff to withstand the Mullahs?? Besides OIL, what does IRAQ offer in free trade??? Will IRAQ be considered an emerging DEMOCRACY???? So many questions.............

[robodweeb]

Will we be any safer from terrorist attack?

So many questions.

[Ammobob]

Have you been hit again?? Call the media, they missed it......

[AlwaysFairDem]

will we be safer from an earthquack? how can you stop someone if they choose to blow themselft? There is so much you can to fight terror but if all people are equal or are in a level playing field where equal opportunity is available to all, then I would think we will be safer.

[SaltySaltillo]

So many questions, yes, but so many questions that are not your right or business to be deciding... Lose the "Nation-builder" mentality.

[AmandaBC]

"Will Iraq be strong enuff to withstand IRAN?"

Earth to clueless neocon: Shia Iraqis (the guys you idiots put in charge) aren't afraid of Iran, they're actually looking forward to being annexed by a much larger and more powerful country that shares their traditions and particular brand of religion...

[Querent]

Where'd you get that theory? I think you just pulled it out of a part of your anatomy.

[Mike169]

Now on to Georgia to solve problems there!

[comacoma]

Maybe we should spend some time solving the problems in Appalachia or South Central LA... or any of the many other places here at home that could use assistance.

[Sloppyseconds]

Deal for withdrawal getting close? Yeah only for the 50th time!

[moonrider 73]

how long do you think it will take 100 years McCain to take credit for this with drawl agreement?

[JohnShank]

That's good to hear. Once they withdraw all of the Iraqis, things will be a lot easier. Wait... did I misread that?

[gnorrfa]

wasn't this "treason" just a few months ago. if no one votes for obama, it looks like he got gas prices down and troop withdrawals from iraq. this a direct admin. reaction to popular support swinging in this direction, wouldn't you agree?

[Ammobob]

PROGRESS is strange isn't it? A few months ago was, well, a few months ago.

[comacoma]

It will be PROGRESS when all you narrow-minded, war-mongering bush enablers admit you have been wrong this entire time.

[Mike169]

I'm still trying to get my arms around the "time horizon". Did the public by that crap?

[LordKelvin]

If you give the public ENUFF time they will surely BY all that crap along with the rest of crappy comments submitted on the Huffington Post.

COGITO, ERGO SUM.

[Nyckname]

Now the Democrats just have to hammer home that it's not the Republicans dicided to leave. They're being kicking out.

[sufi66]

Define "withdrawal." One man out of Iraq is a withdrawal. Why do I think this is some kind of political smoke screen?

[JohnShank]

Because you are smart sufi66. Never EVER trust politicians, elected officials or government in general.