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Powell warns against deadline for US
withdrawal in Iraq
14.2.2008
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February 14, 2008
WASHINGTON, -- Describing the situation in
Iraq as a "civil war", former US Secretary of State
Colin Powell has warned against setting arbitrary
dates for withdrawal of American troops from the
war-ravaged country.
Powell cautioned Democratic presidential
front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama not
to fall for the easy political solution of setting
timetables for withdrawal from Iraq.
"The big issue here is at what rate can the Iraqis
be responsible for assuming their own security?
Remember,www.ekurd.net
the purpose of the surge
and the continued presence of US troops was to
create an environment in which the Iraqis can surge.
And that really is the thing we have to measure. How
well are they surging?" he said. |
Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell |
Powell said he had no idea on what basis Clinton
made the promise that if she became President, she
will begin to withdraw troops in sixty days, taking
out one to two brigades every month.
"... I have no idea on what basis she is making
these statements. I don't know what's magic about 60
days and what's magic about one or two brigades a
month. The question is, what situation do you want
to leave Iraq in?" Powell said.
Powell, however, said the Iraqis will have to assume
greater responsibility for their own security over
the next year or two.
The one time Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
was asked to comment on Senator Barack Obama's
assertion that all of America's combat troops will
be out of Iraq within 16 months of him assuming the
Presidency.
"...I have found in my many years of service,www.ekurd.net
to set arbitrary dates
that don't coincide with the situation on the ground
or what actually is happening tends not to be a
useful strategy," Powell said.
timesofindia indiatimes.com
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