Administration refuses to give timetable for withdrawal from Iraq

[Sauron]

Except when it's an election season and the GOP is in trouble.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...102400171.html

U.S. Officials: Iraqi Security Could be Ready in 12-18 Months

Ambassador Says Iraqi Political Leaders 'Must Step Up'

By Debbi Wilgoren and Howard Schneider
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, October 24, 2006; 2:30 PM

Top U.S. officials in Iraq today predicted that Iraqi security forces could be largely self-sufficient within 12 to 18 months and said the Iraqi government is building a timetable for disarming militias, quieting insurgents and solving ongoing struggles for economic and political power.

Acknowledging that weeks of escalating bloodshed have had a demoralizing effect on American perceptions of the conflict, Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad spoke bluntly about the growing civil strife in and around Baghdad and the challenges it poses. Casey, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, said it was possible that the number of U.S. troops there would need to grow in coming months, before Iraqi security forces can begin to take control.

[Dingfod]

Yeah, and the insurgency is in it's last throes.

[Sauron]

And apparently the Iraqi PM is disavowing the timetable:

Iraqi Leader Disavows Timetable Report

Oct 25, 7:56 AM (ET)

By SAMEER N. YACOUB

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - U.S. and Iraqi forces on Wednesday raided Sadr City, the stronghold of the feared Shiite militia led by radical anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, but Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki disavowed the operation, saying he had not been consulted and insisting "that it will not be repeated."

The defiant al-Maliki also slammed the top U.S. military and diplomatic representatives in Iraq for saying Iraq needed to set a timetable to curb violence ravaging the country.

"I affirm that this government represents the will of the people and no one has the right to impose a timetable on it," al-Maliki said at a news conference.

U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said Tuesday that al-Maliki had agreed to the plan, announced at a rare joint appearance with Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, who said he would not hesitate to ask for more troops if he felt they were necessary.

Conclusion: Bush floated a timetable because it's an election year and he needed to stem the defection of conservative voters.

[ms_ann_thrope]

Oops, al-Maliki didn't get the memo.

[Freddy]

Yeah, as 18,000 troopers of the 1st Cavalry at this moment are embarking on their third tour of duty in Iraq the Iraqis will be ready by the time the "First Team" is set to come home. Let the Iraqis fight it out in a civil war that is already blazing in Iraq then we can get the Hell out and watch it from the sidelines. Garryowen can come home.

[ChuckF]

U.S. Officials: Iraqi Security Could be Ready in 12-18 Months

[MonCapitan2002]

Originally Posted by Sauron

And apparently the Iraqi PM is disavowing the timetable:

Conclusion: Bush floated a timetable because it's an election year and he needed to stem the defection of conservative voters.

Why does that matter? It isn't like they plan on playing fair. If they can't win legitimately, they'll simply steal a few elections.