Iraqis say they're ready and able if the U.S. pulls out early... We should roll with that and split

[bigtree]

BAGHDAD, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Iraqi government officials say they have emergency plans ready to implement in case the United States makes any sudden withdrawals of American troops.

Iraqi Member of Parliament Abbas Bayyati, who serves on the defense and security committee, told the state-owned Al-Sabah newspaper the government is prepared to face any emergency withdrawal of the U.S. Army, the Kuwait News Agency KUNA reported Wednesday.

Bayyati made the comments before U.S. President Barack Obama, on his first full day in the White House, was set to meet with military advisers to discuss the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama said during his campaign that he wanted combat troops out of Iraq within 16 months, while a status of forces agreement signed last year between the Bush administration and Iraq set the end of 2011 as the final troop pull-out date.

KUNA said Bayyati indicated in the interview that Obama administration officials are seeking ways to implement a new troop-level strategy that would not violate the existing agreement. He said Vice President Joe Biden's Middle East trip last week was meant in part to gauge the opinions of Iraqi leaders in preparation of the new strategy.


read: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/01/21/Iraq_ready_if_US_pulls_troops_quickly/UPI-75481232546227/

[bigtree]

1. .

[Ghost in the Machine]

2. "How George W Bush lost the war in Iraq and killed the republican party"

I wrote this a year and a half ago:

"How George W Bush lost the war in Iraq and killed the republican party"


On Saturday, July 14, 2007 Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki made a statement saying that "Iraqi forces are capable and US troops can leave any time they want". http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/5A77F64F-54C5-4524-AC77-7F922532C06D.htm

Right there was mr. Bush's opening to save face in his otherwise disgraceful terms as President. George W Bush should have declared victory in Iraq, using PM Maliki's words, and started bringing the troops home that day.

To say the least, mr. Bush isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, so he didn't act on this. He could have single-handedly ended this insane war, saved his legacy and saved the entire republic party, which is going down as fast as mr. Bush's approval ratings.

The majority of Americans want this war to end, but honestly, there is a percentage of them who don't want to 'lose'. mr. Bush has said many times that "as the Iraqis start standing up, we will stand down. This would have been THE perfect time for him to get out, and look like we had won.

mr. Bush, you could have been seen in the headlines all over the world as a winner. Prime Minister Maliki just gave you a graceful way out, and you totally failed to follow through on it. Now the world will see you for what you truly are. A war criminal and a despot dictator. You just sealed your legacy as, if not the "worst president ever", surely as the "stupidest pResident ever".
http://www.congressunderfire.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=109&topic_id=6&mesg_id=6&page=2

President Obama should use this opportunity to start bring our troops home TODAY. I know he isn't responsible for George Bush's words, but he *can* help live up to those words "as the Iraqis stand up, we'll stand down". The Iraqi Government is giving President Obama a way to get out without losing face or feeling like we've "lost". Please take advantage of it, President Obama.

[bigtree]

3. well

the door is open

[stillcool]

4. We have a massive embassy..

and lord knows how many bases. For a country the size of California I would think that would be plenty to protect 'our national security interests' in that area.

[Ghost in the Machine]

5. kick

[Fireweed247]

6. Let's go!

yeah baby yeah!
:applause: