Put withdrawal to the vote ... in Iraq (Guardian)

[struggle4progress]

<snip> One group of people whose views have not so far been solicited are the citizens of Iraq, even though the occupying armies are there on their behalf. It is commonly supposed that, having initially welcomed the deliverance from the blood-stained dictator, Saddam Hussein, they are now in favour of withdrawal – though nobody actually knows.

But on October 15 there will be a referendum to seek views on the proposed new constitution. Why not grasp the opportunity to add an extra question to the referendum asking whether voters would like coalition troops to withdraw immediately, in three months, or a year, or with no timetable?

If a majority of voters want the troops to stay then that will give them a legitimacy denied at present. But if an overwhelming majority want the troops to get out of Iraq speedily then this in turn will give legitimacy to withdrawal. It will also greatly reduce, if not eliminate the guilt that withdrawing forces might feel about the chaos they fear - rightly or wrongly - would be left behind. <snip>

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/2005/09/22/put_withdrawal_to_the_vote_in_iraq.html