Iraq insists on US leaving cities by June 30

[Boxerfan]

Source: r ago...

BAGHDAD — Iraq's government Monday ruled out allowing U.S. combat troops to remain in Iraqi cities after the June 30 deadline for their withdrawal, despite concern that Iraqi forces cannot cope with the security challenge following a resurgence of bombings in recent weeks.

Asking U.S. forces to stay in the cities, including volatile Mosul in the north, would be embarrassing for Iraq's prime minister, who has staked his political future on claims that the country has turned the corner in the war against Sunni and Shiite extremists.

The departure of heavily armed combat troops from bases inside the cities is important psychologically to many Iraqis, who are eager to regain control of their country after six years of war and U.S. military occupation.

U.S. officials played down the Iraqi decision, with Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman saying it's up to the Iraqi government to request an extension of the U.S. presence in the cities and "we intend to fully abide by" terms of the security agreement.



Read more: http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20090504/ML.Iraq/

---

I say we abide by the wishes of Iraqi's & get the $#^$ OUT!. Leave a trail of generators & a/c units as you leave.

[aquart]

1. This will be hard to remember in the ensuing days because we ARE so culpable...

But the coming bloodbath was always going to happen. It was going to happen as soon as Saddam died, because there was no way his kids could hold the fort. At least three distinct groups were patiently waiting.

Our crime is that we made it happen so much sooner.

[ensho]

2. I insist too - out of cities by June 30

nt

[Vidar]

3. Good for Iraq, though I'm sure we'll weasel out of it.

[Mari333]

4. amen lets get the hell out of there

and out of afghanistan too.