http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7496294.stm

quote:

Iraq will not accept any security deal with the US which does not include a date for the pullout of foreign troops, a senior Iraqi official has said. National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie was speaking in Najaf. The prospect of setting such a timetable was raised by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki on Monday. The US state department said any pullout would be "conditions-based". The UN mandate allowing a US presence in Iraq will expire by the end of 2008. 'Making progress' "We will not accept any memorandum of understanding if it does not give a specific date for a complete withdrawal of foreign troops," Mr al-Rubaie told reporters in Iraq's holy city of Najaf. "Our stance in the negotiations under way with the American side will be strong," he said, but added that it was proving "very difficult" to set a pullout date. Mr al-Rubaie was speaking after meeting Iraq's top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. In Washington, US state department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said the US and Iraq were in agreement over the principle of a US withdrawal. "However, that decision will be conditions-based. We're looking at conditions, not calendars here," Mr Gallegos said. He said the US was "making progress" and was committed to departing, pointing out as evidence that the US has transferred over half of Iraq's provinces to provisional Iraqi control. However, Mr Gallegos refused to divulge details of the any progress towards an agreement. Election issue The US and Iraqi governments have been negotiating a detailed bilateral Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) since March and it was supposed to be concluded this month. On Tuesday, a US state department spokesman said Washington would not divulge details of the talks. Many Iraqis want to see an end to the American military presence in their country, but are fearful of the consequences for security, correspondents say. The US position has always been that setting a timetable for withdrawal gives an advantage to insurgents who have been battling US-led forces since the 2003 invasion which overthrew Saddam Hussein. A possible withdrawal from Iraq has become a major issue in the US presidential election campaign and could also figure prominently in local elections in Iraq in October.

Personally I was for the war when it started, but I realized I was wrong about it, because it really is stupid war. But although I later opposed the war, I always thought that withdrawing early would make bad things worse. But now the situation might change. If the Iraqi government (representing the people) actually wants the US troops out, why should the US stay? If they stayed despite the governments opinion, that would make it a true occupation imo. So if the Iraqis want a timetable, it would be an awful thing not to give it to them! Why is this even an argument being made by the US government - "we HAVE to stay"?! It's so stupid!

Good. Here is Bush's chance to end the war he started, or else, have someone else end it for him.

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