America to pull out of Iraq by 2011

[CountArach]

That's not surrender! That's victory!

AP has the story

BAGHDAD (AP) — American troops could face trial before Iraqi courts for major crimes committed off base and when not on missions, under a draft security pact hammered out in months of tortuous negotiations, Iraqi officials familiar with the accord said Wednesday.

The draft also calls for U.S. troops to leave Iraqi cities by the end of June and withdraw from the country entirely by Dec. 31, 2011, unless the Baghdad government asks some of them to stay for training or security support, the officials said.

It would also give the Iraqis a greater role in U.S. military operations and full control of the Green Zone, the 3 1/2-square mile area of central Baghdad that includes the U.S. Embassy and major Iraqi government offices.

One senior Iraqi official said Baghdad may demand even more concessions before the draft is submitted to parliament for a final decision. The two sides are working against a deadline of year's end when the U.N. mandate authorizing the U.S.-led mission expires.

3 years is far too long, but at least its a step in the right direction.

[JR-]

the wording says "combat" troops.

i imagine there will be a 'logistical' and 'support' footprint for years to come.

[CountArach]

the wording says "combat" troops.

i imagine there will be a 'logistical' and 'support' footprint for years to come.

No doubt, but still as long as the majority of soldiers are gone, I would be... mildly satisfied...

[Xiahou]

The draft also calls for U.S. troops to leave Iraqi cities by the end of June and withdraw from the country entirely by Dec. 31, 2011, unless the Baghdad government asks some of them to stay for training or security support, the officials said.

Sounds reasonable to me.

[Hooahguy]

yea, sounds ok to me.....
but i would rather base the pullout on whether the iraqs as a people are ready.... i think they are.... but we should give thm a few more months, lets see how they react to whoever becomes president....

[Decker]

American troops could face trial before Iraqi courts for major crimes committed off base and when not on missions, under a draft security pact hammered out in months of tortuous negotiations, Iraqi officials familiar with the accord said Wednesday.

This caught my attention the most. I wonder how this will play out if we fully pull out on time. Will this happen while we are there or until after we left? And what will happen to those convicted? Reading the article about that wasn't very heartening. Also, the mention of accidental civilian deaths during combat operations might be overplayed. Imho, if they are worried about our people, and are willing to challenge us over them. Then I would say they should investigate themselves first and try those that actually commited atrocities against their own people. Then when they show that they can handle themselves. They then can try our people unless we've already done it for them.

Another thing is, is that I hardly hear of the other nations who are in Iraq and how will this affect them? Will they just get up and leave when we begin pulling out around the same time as us? And also hasn't Britian already reduced their personnel within Iraq already?

I'm thinking that does sound reasonable though for a pull-out. Though I wouldn't go pronouncing it to the world when we come to a decision on the time to leave.

[Koga No Goshi]

This caught my attention the most. I wonder how this will play out if we fully pull out on time.

Wouldn't we just ignore it? Didn't we ignore the Iraqi Government trying to forbid the use of Blackwater in their country? They're still there.

[Decker]

Wouldn't we just ignore it? Didn't we ignore the Iraqi Government trying to forbid the use of Blackwater in their country? They're still there.

True but our President will be different and the current administration seems more likely to follow what you posted.

[PanzerJaeger]

That's not surrender! That's victory!

I agree.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Pull out? Doesn't sound manly to me.















R.I.P. George! You made me laugh.

[Tribesman]

That's not surrender! That's victory!

yeah right , victory eh

[Incongruous]

Can we air lift the oil fields to Texas?
They won't fit in Hammersmith!

[Strike For The South]

Can we air lift the oil fields to Texas?
They won't fit in Hammersmith!

pffft any real Texan knows its all about WIND BABY

[Kadagar_AV]

American troops could face trial before Iraqi courts for major crimes committed off base and when not on missions, under a draft security pact hammered out in months of tortuous negotiations, Iraqi officials familiar with the accord said Wednesday.

Maybe the day will come when US troops also will face trial for war crimes...

[PanzerJaeger]

Maybe the day will come when US troops also will face trial for war crimes...

Don't get your hopes up. Not even Barack would be that stupid.. and thank God for that.

[KarlXII]

yea, sounds ok to me.....
but i would rather base the pullout on whether the iraqs as a people are ready.... i think they are.... but we should give thm a few more months, lets see how they react to whoever becomes president....

They have 3 more years.

[Decker]

They have 3 more years.

Or better when we are not there in significant numbers...

[spmetla]

Let's just hope that in three years that it's calmed down enough that there aren't too many troops to even pull out.

[CountArach]

Maybe the day will come when US troops also will face trial for war crimes...

Nope.

[Kadagar_AV]

That scares me:(

A bit funny though that the country playing world police refuse to follow international laws...

[Incongruous]

That scares me:(

A bit funny though that the country playing world police refuse to follow international laws...

Ha! So you reckon its a good idea to put the average soldier on trial? Or even lower officers? Jesus its not them that are demanding an increase in high altitude bombings or deciding how much money is spent on Iraq. They are the poor buggers who have to actually hold a damned gun and take peoples lives, watch their friends get torn up by bombs and live with the civilian deatsh they may have themselves inflicted.

Any man serving in Iraq has my damned respect no matter what he believes he is fighting for, demanding that they be put on trial for making a living is cowardly and unjust.

I suggest you go take a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan beforehand.

[Kadagar_AV]

Ha! So you reckon its a good idea to put the average soldier on trial? Or even lower officers? Jesus its not them that are demanding an increase in high altitude bombings or deciding how much money is spent on Iraq. They are the poor buggers who have to actually hold a damned gun and take peoples lives, watch their friends get torn up by bombs and live with the civilian deatsh they may have themselves inflicted.

Any man serving in Iraq has my damned respect no matter what he believes he is fighting for, demanding that they be put on trial for making a living is cowardly and unjust.

I suggest you go take a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan beforehand.

1. War crimes are not commited by higher ranking officers only. By your logic, there would be no Guantanamo base, as they are all footsloggers.

2. I agree that the higher command in the US has much to answer for, however, not many would be sent to trial as the US-army by large fight following the code of war. now, you might not follow rules when you start a war, but once there you do an OK job (with some exceptions).

3. Why is it cowardly and unjust to think that soldiers who break laws should be sent to trial?

4. I've been to Afghanistan, have you? Not Irak though, but Iran and some other countries on the US death list.

[PanzerJaeger]

4. I've been to Afghanistan, have you? Not Irak though, but Iran and some other countries on the US death list.

How do you know of the Death List?

.

..

...

..

.

Welcome to the Death List.

[Kadagar_AV]

Will I get immunity if I watch Faux News for 100 hours?

[Tribesman]

This topic is just too funny .
You have a draft proposal of a possible agreement that might get sorted with lots of wrangling over the contentious issues and then put forward as a proper proposal that may or may not get passed by the Iraqi government .
All this dealing has to be sorted , passed and enacted as legislation by the end of december
The only other option available is to go back to the UN to seek an extension of the mandate , which given the current situation in a wider context will allow Putin to play silly buggers with America over the terms.

That's not surrender! That's victory!

[KarlXII]

Will I get immunity if I watch Faux News for 100 hours?

You'd die trying.

[Incongruous]

1. War crimes are not commited by higher ranking officers only. By your logic, there would be no Guantanamo base, as they are all footsloggers.

2. I agree that the higher command in the US has much to answer for, however, not many would be sent to trial as the US-army by large fight following the code of war. now, you might not follow rules when you start a war, but once there you do an OK job (with some exceptions).

3. Why is it cowardly and unjust to think that soldiers who break laws should be sent to trial?

4. I've been to Afghanistan, have you? Not Irak though, but Iran and some other countries on the US death list.

Uhuh, I have lost a friend in Aghanistan and see whatit has done to others, these guys don't know what they are fighting for. Most of them are not well educated and do not have the chances people like me do. The situation in Iraq is beyond description its such a bloody cockup, those soldiers are as much victims as anyone else.

It is cowardly and unjust, to go after the small guys.

As for your comment on Gitmo I would prefer that it did not exist

[Kadagar_AV]

Bopa the Magyar, sorry to hear about your friend:(

I get what you say, I guess I didn't know it was that bad. Still, i do believe in the choice of the individuall soldier... Maybe USA should try to raise their quality of troops to a more educated level.


Swedishfish, and in misery...

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Maybe the day will come when US troops also will face trial for war crimes...

The winner never gets tried.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Yes, I'm still a little bitter about the Soviets.

[Incongruous]

Bopa the Magyar, sorry to hear about your friend:(

I get what you say, I guess I didn't know it was that bad. Still, i do believe in the choice of the individuall soldier... Maybe USA should try to raise their quality of troops to a more educated level.


Swedishfish, and in misery...

What they should do is ensure that those brave men come back to a society which is proud of them and accepting. Even if you do not agree with the wras, honour the infantry, they need proper housing, health care and foor up in the employment market. Not a trial.