Bush Is Right Not to Set Date for Troop Withdrawal, Baker Says

[ProSense]

Bush Is Right Not to Set Date for Troop Withdrawal, Baker Says

By Glen Carey

March 11 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush is right not to succumb to pressure to set a date for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq as it would trigger a surge in violence, former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker said.

``A deadline is a mistake,'' Baker said in an interview in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ``You will increase the risk of greater instability and perhaps even a regional war. The minute you put a deadline in there your enemies will react accordingly.''

The U.S.'s top diplomat during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, Baker called for a comprehensive national dialogue in Iraq as a way to resolve the country's sectarian conflict. ``This problem that exists there isn't going to be solved by military means alone,'' he said.

U.S. officials participated today in a conference in Baghdad, which included representatives of 14 governments, including Iran and Syria, and three multi-national organizations. The conference provided a chance for U.S. and Iranians officials to discuss Iraqi violence face-to-face for the first time.

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Here's a question: What is Baker doing in Dubai?

[jimshoes]

1. But, but, but, our surge is

all powerful and could smash their surge to bits. Wattsa matter james, not done stealing the oil yet?

[ProSense]

2. Is Baker Halliburton's lawyer?

James Baker

Article from 2003: White House: Baker will avoid conflicts of interest