France urges 2008 date for U.S. departure from Iraq

[maddezmom]

PARIS, Jan 9 (Reuters) - The U.S.-led forces backing the Iraqi government should leave the country around the time of the next U.S. presidential elections, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on Tuesday.

"There has to be the prospect of a departure by the international forces so that the Iraqis take their destiny back into their own hands," Douste-Blazy said on Canal+ television.

"I think it's obvious that it should be before (or) around the American elections" in 2008, he said.

His comments come as U.S. President George W. Bush prepares to announce a new strategy in Iraq, where U.S. forces have become mired in a worsening war that has killed more than 3,000 U.S. soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqis.

more:http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L09916866.htm