Bush to Iraqis: you take over

The Sunday Times ^ | 10/22/2006 | Sarah Baxter

[Ultra Sonic 007]

AMERICA has responded to spiralling violence in Iraq by preparing an exit strategy that will allow coalition troops to withdraw by forcing the government in Baghdad to take responsibility for security. The Pentagon is drawing up plans for a “forcing mechanism” that would set target dates for handing control to the Iraqis. American troops would pull back to their bases, leaving military advisers “embedded” with the Iraqi security forces.

Sources suggest troops will be concentrated in the most violent areas of Iraq, such as Baghdad and parts of Anbar province west of the capital. They could be reinforced with soldiers from pacified regions.

There is a growing consensus in Washington and London that an urgent change of direction is needed after America’s failure to curb violence in Baghdad. At least 30 people died last night in a mortar attack on a market in Mahmudiya, south of the capital.

President George W Bush consulted his military chiefs yesterday on a shift in tactics, saying he would make “every necessary change” to prevail.

American officials also held secret talks in Amman, Jordan, last week with insurgent leaders, including the Islamic Army in Iraq, one of the main Sunni militias.

The emerging exit strategy bears a strong resemblance to options favoured by the Iraq Study Group co-chaired by James Baker, the former US secretary of state, that is due to publish its recommendations in the new year. A senior US official said the new course was likely to be implemented after the group reports, giving the Bush administration “political cover”.

[Ultra Sonic 007]

I detect a negative spin on this.

[ClearCase_guy]

spiralling violence in Iraq ... preparing an exit strategy ... coalition troops to withdraw ... forcing the government in Baghdad to take responsibility for security ... American troops would pull back to their bases ... growing consensus in Washington and London that an urgent change of direction is needed ... America’s failure to curb violence in Baghdad.

Negative spin? Negative? I don't see it [/Mr. Magoo]

[Earthdweller]

"I detect a negative spin on this."

Your detector is working well.

Where is TONY!!!!This is it time.

[Huck]

preparing an exit strategy that will allow coalition troops to withdraw by forcing the government in Baghdad to take responsibility for security. The Pentagon is drawing up plans for a “forcing mechanism” that would set target dates

Is this all true?

[Kenservatized]

Whatever we do, the damn hypoCRATS / MSM will say, "See we told you this was another Vietnam!"

I say to them, "Go to freakin' hell with your so-called support for the troops and country, you bastards!"

God Bless Our Troops.