Russia: Putin Calls For Withdrawal Timetable For Iraq

RFE/RL ^ | 19 August 2005 | Claire Bigg

[Tailgunner Joe]

President Vladimir Putin (file photo) (CTK) Russian President Vladimir Putin called yesterday for a timetable for pulling foreign troops out of Iraq. The Russian leader said many Iraqis view the foreign troops as "occupiers" and suggested the withdrawal will encourage insurgents to abandon violence in favor of contributing to the creation of the state. The United States was quick to reject his call, saying it is still too early for a pullout.

Moscow, 19 August 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Speaking to reporters in the Black Sea resort of Sochi after a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah, Putin first reiterated his call for an international conference on Iraq.

Putin disapproves of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and insists such a conference might help bring peace to the strife-torn country.

Then the Russian president went one step further. He said it is imperative to draw up a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq.

“We deem it necessary to work out a timetable for the gradual withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq," Putin said. "Many Iraqis, we know this well, still consider these forces to be occupiers."

Encouraging Iraqi insurgents to take part in their country’s political process, he added, is another argument in favor of a swift pullout.

“Resolving this task will enable a significant part of the armed Iraqi resistance to be brought into the process of creating a state," Putin said.

President George W. Bush has consistently rebuffed international calls to set a schedule for withdrawing the 138,000 U.S. troops from Iraq. Putin's plea was no exception.

A few hours after the Russian president's statement, U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told a news briefing in Washington that Iraq was not yet ready for a withdrawal of foreign troops.

"I think [U.S.] President [George W.] Bush has spoken very clearly on our views on the issue of security assistance to the Iraqis," McCormack said. "As Iraqis stand up [increase] their capabilities, we and the multinational forces will be able to stand down [withdraw]."

McCormack also suggested the United States had little intention to hold an international conference on Iraq by the end of the year, as Putin proposed.

"We did, recently, have an international conference that was organized in Brussels, which had great attendance from around the world, from around the region, from Europe -- there was a delegation from Russia there, I believe, as well -- in which countries came together to express support for Iraq," McCormack said.

Putin has openly opposed the Iraq war. But this is the first time he has made such a clear-cut statement on the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq.

Putin’s statement comes just days after Russia carried out military exercises in the Barents Sea during which new intercontinental ballistic missiles were tested.

Yevgenii Volk, a political analyst and the director of Moscow's Heritage Foundation think thank, said both events indicate Putin might be trying to gain more influence in world affairs by flexing his country's military muscle.

“It is significant that the declaration was made directly after the Northern Fleet’s military exercises where, whatever people might say, scenarios of an atomic war with the U.S. were developed," Volk said. "This [declaration] is clearly a display of strength, and Putin is showing that Russia’s military power must and can translate into the strengthening of its political influence, no matter where the area of conflict is located.”

Russia and China also launched unprecedented joint military exercises yesterday amid U.S. concerns that the two giants might form a military alliance.

[anonymoussierra]

---

"I have vendetta against you Putin; yes for the children in Beslan; or you don't remember them; I do for it broke my heart; all I know Putin I know you well enough; I know where you coming from; you are a man whom should understand that I don't judge for Lord will judge; in for your background is well know to some; don't even for once question United States again you pathetic communistic man; and I can stand up and I know what is communism; in for I know your background all the way to Kruszczov!!! Did you forget it who play a role to knock Kruszczov out? Or should I tell other people your affair of it? I pray God will help you. I have a story for you sir Putin; lay off from United States of America sir!!!!!!!!!!!!."

---

[GSlob]

Timetable? Nothing's easier. The day the Iraqis succeed in reciprocally exterminating their tribal and religious infrastructures - plus 30 more days.

[Victoria Delsoul]

The Bush and Blair and Howard Administrations need to demand that the UN pass an official resolution stating that the UN will move into Iraq, with force, if the current Iraqi government faces any immiment stability crisis within the first 5 years of the U.S. led forces withdrawing from Iraq. .

As far as I remember, before the war started the UN passed 17 resolutions and Iraq failed to comply even with its own UN inspectors. The UN failed to enforce its own resolutions. So in this case, if the UN resolution to move into Iraq with force don't succeed, they will probably adopt a resolution condemning the terrorists for being bad - and that's about it.

[InterceptPoint]

We don't need no stink'n timetable.

[humblegunner]

[daybreakcoming]

What's the matter with Putin? Are we killing too many of his Russian arms customers?

[GOPJ]

Good idea:

The Bush and Blair and Howard Administrations need to demand that the UN pass an official resolution stating that the UN will move into Iraq, with force, if the current Iraqi government faces any immiment stability crisis within the first 5 years of the U.S. led forces withdrawing from Iraq.

After all, our entire reason for staying there is for regional stability. If Russia, China, Germany, and France want the U.S. out of Iraq, then they need to be willing to help insure regional stability if we leave per their wishes.

[GretchenM]

President Vladimir Putin (file photo) (CTK) Russian President Vladimir Putin called yesterday for a timetable for pulling foreign troops out of Iraq. The Russian leader said many Iraqis view the foreign troops as "occupiers" and suggested the withdrawal will encourage insurgents to abandon violence in favor of contributing to the creation of the state.

What's his real agenda? It certainly is not what he states.

[patriciaruth]

What is up?

The sharks in the water smell the blood of vulnerability. And as you conjectured, the Democrats and leftwing media have exposed our flank to our enemies.

[mm77]

Guys, relax, relax, do not scary, take it easy :))) Russia is not US enemy as you think! RF is just reached economics successes and is trying to compete with US in world matters. It is reasonable and have to push American government to have more warm relations with Russia. Alliance with China is one of the step in this game.

[Mo1]

Then the Russian president went one step further. He said it is imperative to draw up a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq

Are there Russian troops in Iraq?

Or is Putin just worried that we are actually winning this war?

[Mo1]

After all, our entire reason for staying there is for regional stability. If Russia, China, Germany, and France want the U.S. out of Iraq, then they need to be willing to help insure regional stability if we leave per their wishes

I could be wrong ... but isn't the OFF program still in place at the UN?

[mm77]

Gosh! Too bad this kind of thinking wasn't around in Poland in 1945, East Germany in 1950, Hungary in 1956, Checkosovakia in 1968, Afghanistan in 1979, Chechnya throughout the 1990's and 2000's, etc, etc, etc......

It is not productive even you could start from 15 century before some countries appear on the earth :)

And if you know history especially US history you will never post this.

[Mo1]

What's his real agenda? It certainly is not what he states.

What it always is ... Money

Russia losses big time funds if we win and the Iraqis can stand on their own 2 feet

[Polybius]

Russia: Putin Calls For Withdrawal Timetable For Iraq

Germany and Japan Call For Withdrawal Timetable For East Prussia and the Northern Japanese Territories......Oh, and Chechnya Too.

[mm77]

Looks like Putin is having too much Vodka these days.

Russian president is not drinking alcohol, MAN you should know but Bush BE (Big ear) likes to drink Russian vodka :))))

[mm77]

HMMMM---Putin wants the troops out of Iraq...

I guess he has forgotten Beslan!

You understand what you said?

[No.6]

Putie, feel free to withdraw your troops from Iraq any time you like. :)

[mm77]

"I have vendetta against you Putin; yes for the children in Beslan; or you don't remember them; I do for it broke my heart; all I know Putin I know you well enough; I know where you coming from; you are a man whom should understand that I don't judge for Lord will judge; in for your background is well know to some; don't even for once question United States again you pathetic communistic man; and I can stand up and I know what is communism; in for I know your background all the way to Kruszczov!!! Did you forget it who play a role to knock Kruszczov out? Or should I tell other people your affair of it? I pray God will help you. I have a story for you sir Putin; lay off from United States of America sir!!!!!!!!!!!!."

Did you cry when wrote this :) And you did some mistake -lay off from GREAT POLAND!!! Sounds good?

[mm77]

RUSSIA NEVER SENT THEIR TROOPS TO IRAQ!