Newspaper: Iraq ready for early U.S. troop pullout

[struggle4progress]

Source: Xinhua

www.chinaview.cn 2009-01-21 16:24:28

BAGHDAD, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iraq is ready for any U.S. troops withdrawal even before the end of 2011 after Barack Obama took office as the new president of the United States, the state-run al-Sabah newspaper said on Wednesday.

"The government is ready enough to deal with any kind of U.S. troops withdrawal in case the new president Barack Obama would rapidly pullout his troops," the newspaper quoted Abbas al-Baiyati, a Shiite lawmaker and a member of the parliamentary security committee, as saying.

"I am sure that the Iraqi political parties are aware of their national and historic responsibilities and they are capable of facing such possibility," Baiyati said.

However, Baiyati pointed out that "such a surprise withdrawal is not possible and even if it happen, the withdrawal will only be on the combat troops and there would be other support and logistic units" ...

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-01/21/content_10697125.htm

[Optical.Catalyst]

1. President Obama will order the Joint Chief of Staff today to have the troops pack their bags

It is now time to clear out of Iraq as quickly as Bush cleared out of Washington.

[struggle4progress]

2. I doubt it: that's not what he said he would do

[bertman]

3. Struggle4progress nailed it. He's committed to an orderly withdrawal beginning as soon

as soon as the military can prepare the plan. But he never committed to pulling out ALL U.S. troops, sad to say.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. And those troops are heading east, not west.

[bemildred]

5. There is an argument that we have an obligation to help stabilize Iraq.

Unlike, say, the petulant way the British abandoned their colonies. I think it is a good argument. Good for us, we look responsible, good for Iraqis, who have less violence in their lives. It all depends on how you do it.

[chusmeria]

6. sounds like a terrible argument considering how we've helped them so far

nt

[Tempest]

7. Helped them so far?

We've "helped" them by arming different factions that are not completely behind the government.

What we've done is create an environment for civil war.

[bemildred]

8. Well, it's all about change we can believe in. nt

[Zhade]

10. HELPED?

Are you sure you're on the right website?

[bemildred]

11. I believe that was a sarcastic remark, but I can't be sure. nt

[Zhade]

9. That's like saying a robber who broke in, raped your wife and killed your kids should help clean up.

Utterly ridiculous White Man's Burden horseshit.

[bemildred]

12. I didn't say the argument was a slam-dunk.

I do think we owe them some help, in whatever form they want. So shoot me.