Remember how George Bush and his Administration kept repeating (and still do) that they will withdraw forces if the Iraqis want us to? That is their answer to questions like "Are we going to have permanent bases in Iraq?" and "Why do conservatives have a 'White Man's Burden' complex in regards to Iraq?" Okay, that last question was mine, but journalists who have access to the President might want to try that one on for size. Or maybe if the Iraqis want us to leave, is this whole thing about a few people profiting off the war and the rest of us are screwed by it both in financial costs and the deaths of thousands of our troops and hundreds of thousands of civilians?
They really need to stop using the "They want us there so we'll stay" meme, because it just doesn't fly with Iraqis:
Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, whose post gives him a senior security role in the Iraqi government, said he would like to see U.S. forces draw down steadily to below 100,000 by the end of 2008.[...]Rubaie told a small group of journalists at Iraq's embassy in London that he understood the arguments for a pause "to consolidate the gains" made over past months.
"I understand. But I believe phasing out and making it a continuous but slow withdrawal is better than pausing, as it gives continuity to the process," he said.
Now al-Rubaie is in the government, and by far a much more conservative voice than others in Iraq, like the militias and the majority of Iraqis. He wants a presence in Iraq, but for his own sake (to remain legitimate to the people) a reduction is needed.
Unless a reduction in forces begins, the new government will continue to face a legitimacy problem for the Iraqis that are still left in the country. Many want to return, but things are a little crazy over there at the moment, in case you don't pay attention to the chaos that is Baghdad, Tikrit, Mosul, Basra, etc etc.
The best thing is for us to pull out and let them sort the mess out, because really, haven't we done enough damage to that country already? Does anyone truly believe that we can fix this mess, while everyone hates us there more and more each and every day?
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