Iraq: Obama Won't Withdraw Troops Too Quickly

Reuters:

The Iraqi government is confident that president-elect Barack Obama will not jeopardize Iraq's improving security by hastily withdrawing U.S. troops, Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said on Wednesday.

Obama has "reassured us that he would not take any drastic or dramatic decisions," Zebari told BBC television.

"He will consult with the Iraqi government and the U.S. military in the field, but believes strongly that a phased withdrawal of U.S. forces in Iraq will put more responsibility on the shoulders of the Iraqi government."

Read the whole story: Reuters

Comments

[Radarman]

Promise them anything. Once your in you can do what you want. Politics 101.

[Sumocat]

Zebari is correct that Obama will deal with the situation rationally, but he will definitely put pressure on the Iraqi government to take over the security burden, as opposed to Bush and his open-ended policy of "whenever". Bush talks a lot about not setting timetables, but he has also set no targets, no goals, and no plan for a future without U.S. troops in Iraq. That's not being tough. It's being negligent. We may not complete a changeover in the span Obama has planned, but at least he has a plan that doesn't hinge on an end-scenario of being "welcomed as liberators." Bush, it seems, is still waiting for that to happen.

[demigod]

I marched in the streets against George W. Bush over the Iraq war, many times. If Obama does NOT bring these troops home and quickly, I will be marching in the streets against HIM. It will be the shortest honeymoon in American history if Obama simply embraces the Iraq war and kowtows to all this stuff about "honor" and "responsibility" - the invasion was wrong, based on lies, and has to END. I voted for Obama, but he flayed Hillary over this issue, now he has to man up and do what he said he would do. He cannot pull a McCain and simply "evolve" into the opposing position.

[strangerinthenight]

For better or worse, we have a new POTUS. And I respect that.

But don't count of Obama to bring home the troops within that promised period of "immediately or quickly, or to give him lee way 18 months. Not gonna happen. First of many.

[thepoliticalcat]

The thing is that they realize Obama is a pragmatic and observant individual. They trust him to do the right thing (unlike their feelings about his predecessor). The pullout will have to be managed with attention to detail. The thing is, Obama is not going to give them a free pass on ANYthing. He's going to make sure they move on all the promises they spewed five years ago.

[strangerinthenight]

I hope so for the sake of the nation who believed in his promises. Just go to his website. Too many promises, everything and anything under the sun. It makes me dizzy to read all these campaign promises.

But, it's fair to give him time to prove himself. It's hard to be optimistic though.

[Grunty1]

Nothing new to see here.

[jenrose]

We have 50 bil in our banks in NY of Iraqi money? Get them out safe our troops first and foremost please. Get the security agreemant signed Bush stupid heads asap before 12/31/2008.

[bronceye]

Ending the war and withdrawing troops are two different things, you know.

[strangerinthenight]

there you go - a spin. Read his campaign promise - "bringing the troops home is his priority as soon as I am elected".

But realizing it's an election promise - i will not hold him to "as soon as I am elected" which he has. I'd give him 90 days. That's generous.

[george venny]

Time for them to pitch in a little bit........ pull out some private contractors and army units and see how things go......

[strangerinthenight]

that's not what he promised. A promise is a promise. Or was that an election gimmick ?

[GeorgiamomforObama]

Why not we are spending 10 billion while you sit on a surplus!!