U.S. says Iraq agrees timeline to peace

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061024/ts_nm/iraq_dc

U.S. says Iraq agrees timeline to peace

By Alastair Macdonald 1 hour, 58 minutes ago

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi leaders have assured the United States they will stick to a timetable of measures over the next year to curb violence and allow U.S. troops to go home, Washington's top officials in
Iraq said on Tuesday.


Two weeks ahead of U.S. congressional elections that have put
President George W. Bush's Republicans on the defensive over their Iraq strategy, the U.S. ambassador and military commander in Baghdad told voters directly via a rare joint news conference that success was still possible, and on a "realistic timetable."

Insisting sectarian bloodshed had not caused Washington to water down its goal of a stable, democratic Iraq, envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said he expected Iraqi leaders to make "significant progress in the coming 12 months" in meeting "benchmarks."

He did not refer to any deadline nor spell out any U.S. response if the Shi'ite-led coalition failed to rein in violence, some of it by pro-government militias, or to address concerns among minority Sunnis over sharing Iraq's oil wealth.

[tularetom]

1. Bwahahaha - cut'n'run, cut'n'run

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't representatives of this administration and embedded TV pundits and talking heads within the past 6 months crucify John Murtha and others for suggesting a timed withdrawal of US troops? Dem congressional and senate candidates need to jump right in the middle of their shit on this one.

[tridim]

2. What is the definition of "Iraq"?

Serious question, because "Iraq" does not equal "Iraq leaders" within the Green Zone.

[Tempest]

3. Did they have a choice?

Everyone knows who's pulling the strings of the puppet government.

[humbled_opinion]

4. Bring the troops home now.

Why wait a year. What if the violence escalates in a year. Isn't that the same defense that was used for not bringing the troops home last year... WTF

[rodeodance]

5. This is nothing but a pre-election US showcard!

[doc03]

6. Gee, I thought you couldn't have a time-table for pull out?

If you set an artificial time table the terrorists will just wait us out! Isn't this what many democrats have been calling for for months now and Bush said the party of FDR and Harry Truman has become "the party of cut and run"?

[LynnTheDem]

7. But BUSH said a TIMELINE would AID THE ENEMY.

Gee. That makes BUSH a TRAITOR.

Too fucking funny.

If only people weren't dead or dying, this would be the fucking farce of a lifetime.

[OhioChick]

8. "Stay the Course!"

:puke: