WP,pg1: Iraq Panel to Urge Pullout Of Combat Troops by '08

[DeepModem Mom]

Iraq Panel to Urge Pullout Of Combat Troops by '08
By Peter Baker and Thomas E. Ricks
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, December 1, 2006; Page A01

The bipartisan Iraq Study Group plans to recommend withdrawing nearly all U.S. combat units from Iraq by early 2008 while leaving behind troops to train, advise and support the Iraqis, setting the first goal for a major drawdown of U.S. forces, sources familiar with the proposal said yesterday.

The commission plan would shift the U.S. mission in Iraq to a secondary role as the fragile Baghdad government and its security forces take the lead in fighting a Sunni insurgency and trying to halt sectarian violence. As part of major changes in the U.S. presence, sources said, the plan recommends embedding U.S. soldiers directly in Iraqi security units starting as early as next month to improve leadership and effectiveness.

The call to pull out combat brigades by early 2008 would be more a conditional goal than a firm timetable, predicated on the assumption that circumstances on the ground would permit it, according to the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the commission's report will not be released until next week. But panel members concluded that it is vital to set a target to put pressure on Iraqi leaders to do more to assume responsibility for the security of their country.

"It's really about transitioning from a combat to a support role, and basically making very clear that this is no longer an open-ended commitment and we're going to get this done whether the Iraqis like it or not," said one of the sources. "Everybody understands that we're at the end of the road here."

The choice of early 2008 as a goal could also, intentionally or not, change the nature of the debate over the war at the height of the U.S. presidential primary season. If the commission's plan is successful, the war might recede as an issue, as many strategists in both parties hope. But if U.S. commanders do not meet that goal, or if they do but violence only escalates, it may inflame the struggles for both parties' nominations....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/30/AR2006113001175.html

[Erika]

1. So they are going to continue killing our troops a few each day

and no one cares?

[rodeodance]

2. Too slow--this is UNexceptional.

[Zhade]

3. Way too fucking late. You think the Iraqis are going to wait?

Think again - we invaded. Forget drawing it out over years. Forget leaving soldiers there.

We'll be facing the fall of Saigon redux the way this is playing out.

ENOUGH! Bring them home! NOW!

[cornermouse]

4. In other words, after Bush is gone we're leaving.

That gives the oil companies enough time to put away a nice little nest egg and allows the republicans to point a finger and discredit the democrats with their real base and the country in general.

[snappyturtle]

5. I just scanned this article and when I did that I got the gist

very quickly.............nothing will change. I look at Iraq like going on vacation.....you always come back with more than you took....yep, the lead up may have taken a few months so it will take longer to come back with all the goodies. (I don't mean ANY disrepect of our troops here!)

[Massachusetts]

6. A meat grinder Bu$hco can't turn off

He has obligated himself to others at the expense of WE THE PEOPLE AND OUR TROOPS.

Ask yourself this: Would you ever let georgie or jowls karl or dead eye dick or condi coconuts ever borrow YOUR car?

[OhioChick]

7. 2008??

So.......pretty much "Stay the Course?"

:wtf:

[NOLADEM]

8. Baker Commish has FAILED, and has instead delivered yet ANOTHER political report

This is the plan for rescuing the Repuke party reputation and chances in 08.

This has NOTHING to do with winning the war or protecting lives on either side of this debacle.

It may leave us no choice but to throw out our current government via impeachment, even though I have not been a huge supporter of impeachment from a practical side.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

9. The 2008 time-line screams political agenda & allows the senseless killing to continue

into what becomes a massacre without a real defined end in sight. This should start the debate of when, now that it has been determined that it is (past) time to withdraw. In human terms how many more must die for the criminal insanity of a phony Texas cowboy illegally installed in the White House.