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.

[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.

[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.

[CountArach]

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

Nope.

[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.