Iraqi leader presses issue of U.S. withdrawal

updated 8:23 p.m. ET July 27, 2005

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq’s prime minister said Wednesday he wants U.S. troops “on their way out” as soon as his government can protect its new democracy. The top American general in the country said he hopes to begin significant withdrawal by next spring.

At the same time, in an unannounced visit, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Iraqi security forces should take on more tasks now performed by U.S. troops. And U.S. Gen. George Casey, the senior commander of coalition forces in Iraq, told reporters that a “fairly substantial” withdrawal of U.S. troops could go ahead in the spring and summer of 2006 if the Iraqi political process is not derailed and the insurgency does not grow.

American military commanders have repeatedly expressed hopes in recent months that they could begin major troop reductions next year, depending on the intensity of the insurgency. Even so, Casey's remarks semed to signal a new willingness to discuss specific ways American troops might exit an increasingly unpopular war in which nearly 2,000 have died.

There was a subdued reaction in Congress. John Warner, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, “I remain concerned about establishing timetables and raising expectations. However, I have not seen the data that the general had before him.”

Sen. John McCain, of Arizona, the second-ranking Republican on the committee, said he agreed with Casey and al-Jaafari that withdrawal will be possible only when conditions permit.

“I’m sure that the security situation at the time will dictate what they need to do,” McCain said.

Awaiting political developments
Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, speaking at a joint news conference with Rumsfeld, also indicated the time for U.S. forces to withdraw is drawing near. “The great desire of the Iraqi people is to see the coalition forces on their way out,” he said.

Pentagon officials have provided little detail in discussing the possible withdrawal of forces from Iraq. The most specific estimate has come from Lt. Gen. John Vines, who runs day-to-day military operations in Iraq. He said in June that a reduction of “four or five brigades” — perhaps 20,000 troops out of the current 135,000 — was possible sometime next year.

More than 1,780 American troops have died since the U.S. invasion in March 2003. The Bush administration has refused to set deadlines for withdrawal, saying U.S. soldiers will remain as long as needed until Iraqi troops and police can defend the country on their own.

“The president wants to see our troops come home, but we’ve got an important mission that we need to complete,” White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Wednesday.

McClellan said Bush depends on his commanders to say how many troops they need, “And they make decisions based on the conditions and the progress that’s being made on the ground.”

MORE FROM CONFLICT IN IRAQ

Conflict in Iraq Section Front

Biden to meet with Iraq leaders FBI: Saddam feared Iran more than U.S. Feds OK seizure of Iraqi group's assets U.N.: Iraq strewn with deadly mines Ancient sect fights to stay alive in U.S. Conflict in Iraq Section Front   Add Conflict in Iraq headlines to your news reader: