Every now and then...

Then...

Published: Jan 28, 2005

GEORGE W.Bush has committed the US to pulling its troops out of Iraq if its new leaders ask them to leave following tomorrow's landmark democratic elections.

However, the US President said he expected the new government, which will inherit a crippling insurgency, would ask US forces to remain "as helpers, not occupiers".

Mr Bush's election-eve comments came amid reports that the US and Britain, the key drivers of the invasion to oust Saddam Hussein almost two years ago, had agreed on an exit strategy.

"I've heard the voices of the people that presumably will be in a position of responsibility after these elections, though you never know," Mr Bush said in an interview with The New York Times.

"But it seems like most of the leadership there understands that there will be a need for coalition troops at least until Iraqis are able to fight."

Asked if US troops should be withdrawn if the new Iraqi administration requested it, Mr Bush said: "Yes, absolutely. And this is a sovereign government - they're on their feet."

http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-b...gi?

Now...

Iraqi Leaders Call for Pullout Timetable -- CAIRO, Egypt - Iraqi leaders at a reconciliation conference reached out to the Sunni Arab community by calling for a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces and saying the country's opposition had a "legitimate right" of resistance.

A day after the communique was finalized by Iraqi Shiite, Kurdish and Sunni leaders, Washington reiterated Tuesday that the United States would stay only as long as it takes to stabilize Iraq.

The communique condemned terrorism but was a clear acknowledgment of the Sunni position that insurgents should not be labeled as terrorists if they don't target innocent civilians or institutions that provide for the welfare ofIraqis.