Bush Says Iraqi Leaders Will Want U.S. Forces to Stay to Help
President Bush said in an interview on Thursday that he would withdraw American forces from Iraq if the new government that is elected on Sunday asked him to do so, but that he expected Iraq’s first democratically elected leaders would want the troops to remain as helpers, not as occupiers.
“I’ve, you know, heard the voices of the people that presumably will be in a position of responsibility after these elections, although you never know,” Mr. Bush said. “But it seems like most of the leadership there understands that there will be a need for coalition troops at least until Iraqis are able to fight.”
He did not say who he expected would emerge victorious. But asked if, as a matter of principle, the United States would pull out of Iraq at the request of a new government, he said: “Absolutely. This is a sovereign government. They’re on their feet.”
Some members of the administration had made similar pledges, but this was the first time Mr. Bush did so.
Ever since Iraq took over soverignty – this has been my understanding, that the US would pull out if Iraq made the request. I would expect no less.
If the new government asks us to leave, we should go. But I wouldn’t expect them to ask us to leave on Monday.
You are right peejz. I would be glad to see them fight for their own freedom…. I believe that is how it should be done. I prefer that not another American loose their lives. If a people does not have the will to fight for freedom, then they don’t deserve it.
I believe that until we get out, the traitorous people here in the US should SHUT THE F UP, and support the mission until they get home.
I know exactly what you mean. If there is a civil war in Iraq, it will be our fault, if things go well, it will not be because of us. The people here that don’t support our being there will never find a positive. What a sad existence.
I hope they do ask us to leave after they draft a constitution, then at least we’ll have an exit strategy.
No point in putting frosting on cake batter.
I’m all for American Troops leaving Iraq, but we can’t realistically leave until the Iraqis can handle security on their own.
6- Of course we can’t. The withdrawl of our troops would be in stages. And I don’t expect them to ask in the very near future.
Can you imagine if the long term results of our actions in Iraq are to change Iraq’s government from a repressive dictatorship hostile towards American interests into a repressive theocracy hostile towards American interests?
8- I don’t think that will happen.
The Iraqis are kind of in the same postion now that the newly freed slaves were here.
You have your freedom. Now what are you gonna do?
It’s hard to resist going back to what you’re used to.