U.S. out of Iraq 5 years after Iraqis take lead on security, which could take years. "Someday maybe"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

US, Iraq seek 'general time horizon' on troop cuts

By TERENCE HUNT – 2 hours ago

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hcWJu9bbzrJZ7uNHjvMn0BuTGqHQD920BJ900

Iraqi officials, in a sign of growing confidence as violence decreases, have been pressuring the United States to agree to a specific timeline to withdraw U.S. forces. President Bush has adamantly opposed a timeline, and the White House said Friday that the timeframe being discussed would not be "an arbitrary date for withdrawal."

Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki talked about the timing issue as part of discussions over a broader security agreement to keep American troops in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires on Dec. 31.

The White House says the two leaders, in a conversation on Thursday, agreed that the accord should include "a general time horizon for meeting aspirational goals, such as the resumption of Iraqi security control in their cities and provinces and the further reduction of U.S. combat forces from Iraq."

Iraq has proposed requiring U.S. forces to fully withdraw five years after the Iraqis take the lead on security nationwide — though that precondition could take years.

[tabatha]

1. I am betting/hoping that this is just Maliki

slowly moving the goal posts.

He can wait until the end of the year, when the US mandate expires, and US troops have to be out.