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U.S. troops out of Iraq within next 18 months?
World Net Daily ^ | 1-30-05

Posted on 01/30/2005 7:17:23 PM PST by hope

U.S. troops stationed in Iraq could be out of the war-torn country by the middle of next year, if all goes well.

That according to Iraqi interim Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib, who told Britain's Channel 4 News that coalition forces would likely not be necessary in a year and a half.

"I think we will not need the multinational, foreign forces, in this country within 18 months," al-Naqib said. "I think we will be able to depend on ourselves, if everything goes in the right direction.

"We are building our forces and I think we will need 18 months. It's my estimate that we will have quite a reasonable-sized force, trained, well-trained force, well-equipped to protect the country. So I believe very much that we won't need more than 18 months."

His optimism was tempered, though, by Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie, who told CNN he believes the U.S.-led force should remain in Iraq for "at least a couple of years" until Iraq's security force is up to speed.

"Then and only then, we will ask the multinational forces to leave Iraq," he said. "Practically speaking, we need the multinational forces to stay in Iraq for the foreseeable future."

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says American troops will remain in Iraq until the country's forces can handle security on their own, adding there was no timetable for withdrawal.

"The coalition is there under a U.N. mandate to help the Iraqis because they're not quite capable yet of carrying out their own security functions," Rice said on CNN's "Late Edition." "But we are concentrating on training those forces."

Some 120,000 Iraqi security personnel – including over 50,000 police – have been trained, but Rice says many are not battle-tested.

"No one really knows how well they're going to fight until they're in a fight," she said.

On NBC's "Meet the Press," Sen. John Kerry expressed dismay at the condition of the Iraqi forces.

"I'm appalled at the level of training that's been taking place," the ex-presidential candidate said. "Other countries could be training them."

He also suggested the U.S. might wear out its welcome in the country.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they even asked us to leave in some way over a period of time," he said. "I wouldn't be surprised if the administration privately, behind closed doors, asked them to ask us to leave."




TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: exitstrategy; iraq

1 posted on 01/30/2005 7:17:23 PM PST by hope
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To: hope
Before getting your panties in a wad over the 18-month scenario, please bother to read the history of Germany in the ten years after May, 1945, when Germany surrendered. No, most of our troops will NOT be out in 18 months. But it WILL be clear in 18 months that we will succeed in our mission, and except for the symbolism of supporting our new ally in the Middle East, our troops will come home.

History is a fine teacher. except for those who are aggressive in their ignorance.

Congressman Billybob [TWO different columns this week]

Click for latest, "Homer, Shakespeare, Pope, and George Bush"

Click for latest, "Dusty Rhodes, a Death in the Family"

2 posted on 01/30/2005 7:21:51 PM PST by Congressman Billybob (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.)
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To: hope

With Senators like Kerry, our enemies have their own operatives on the inside.


3 posted on 01/30/2005 7:37:13 PM PST by DoughtyOne (US socialist liberalism would be dead without the help of politicians who claim to be conservative.)
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To: hope

We're building FOBs in the western desert. We're staying there a long time.


4 posted on 01/30/2005 7:40:24 PM PST by wtc911 ("I would like at least to know his name.")
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To: hope

I do hope they offer us a base of opperation there for other possible actions, like IRAN.


5 posted on 01/30/2005 7:41:39 PM PST by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: hope
Site Meter Timelines don't bother me - dictators do...we seem to be finished with the one that had been in Iraq...
6 posted on 01/30/2005 7:42:41 PM PST by KMC1
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To: hope

According to the folks over at DU, this is all bull. Bush would never let them have control of the oil. etc, etc, etc. It is pathetic how pathetic the folks over there are. I just check them out for fun folks.


7 posted on 01/30/2005 7:53:06 PM PST by vpintheak (Liberal = The antithesis of Freedom and Patriotism)
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To: hope
I would say give us three more years in Iraq to finish off the terrorists. With reports of 40,000 active terrorists in Iraq, and 15,000 captured or killed until today, 18 months is not enough. The objectives are to have the Iraqi security force enough to gain security on their own but we also need to finish off the terrorists in Iraq so they will not come to Iraq to play another round of attacks.
8 posted on 01/30/2005 8:32:32 PM PST by Wiz
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To: Wiz
so they will not come to Iraq to play another round of attacks.

I meant "so they will not come to US to play another round of attacks".
9 posted on 01/30/2005 8:33:36 PM PST by Wiz
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To: hope
"I wouldn't be surprised if they even asked us to leave in some way over a period of time," he said. "I wouldn't be surprised if the administration privately, behind closed doors, asked them to ask us to leave."

Kerry thinks this may have happened because that's what he would have done.

What a tool...

10 posted on 01/30/2005 8:36:43 PM PST by THX 1138
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To: Congressman Billybob

We ain't leaving Iraq anytime soon, Congressman Billybob.

This "eighteen month" window is a ludicrous pipe dream. The majority of Iraqis want a US presence until the "insurgents" from Chechnya, Iran, Syria and Jordan have been nullified to a point where the Iraqi military and police can take over.

That should take us well beyond 2007. If the GOP wins the White House in 2008. Iraq could become an American Protectorate. Which translates into PCS bases and many, many TDYs to augment that force.

Personally, I'd like to see a few fighter, armor, helicopter and bomber bases scattered about Iraq. To keep the neighbors in check.

Jack.


11 posted on 01/30/2005 9:03:34 PM PST by Jack Deth (Knight Errant and Disemboweler of the WFTD Thread)
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To: Jack Deth

But a draw down of forces in a year or two would be a good thing.


12 posted on 01/30/2005 9:08:48 PM PST by maro
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To: maro

True, maro:

A "draw down" is not an "exit strategy". Though there will be an abundance of 11-Bravos (Infantry) and support troops in Iraq for the foreseeable future.

How long we stay is up to the actions of the Iraqis and the Bad Guys. Since the latter can always fall back across borders and strike once the draw down is announced and in motion.

Personally, I don't have a problem with Forward Operating Bases in the heart of the Middle East. Since I may some day soon be visiting one or more with my Reserve Unit. It keeps the enemy honest.

Jack.


13 posted on 01/30/2005 9:25:03 PM PST by Jack Deth (Knight Errant and Disemboweler of the WFTD Thread)
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To: hope
Dear Liberals,

Please help me. I cannot find my history book, and I was wondering if you could tell me exactly what FDR's exit strategy was for WWII. I patiently await your reply.

Thanks much.

14 posted on 01/30/2005 9:30:51 PM PST by cookcounty (I'm an intelligent design ---you can speak for yourself.)
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To: hope
"I'm appalled at the level of training that's been taking place," the ex-presidential candidate, John Kerry, said. "Other countries could be training them."

What other countries? I'm sure France could teach them how to best waive a white flag, but I don't think that's the kind of training they need!

15 posted on 01/30/2005 9:59:15 PM PST by Anti-MSM (The war on terror....NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE!)
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To: Anti-MSM
This is so much crap we asked to help us but those wussy's wouldn't, those girlie men.
16 posted on 01/30/2005 10:06:09 PM PST by LittleJohnnyEdwards (John Kerry the man who would give are security to France)
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To: KMC1

Stop putting your Sitemeter on your Free Republic pages or you will put your account at risk.


17 posted on 01/31/2005 5:07:25 AM PST by Lead Moderator
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