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High-Profile
Study Suggests New Course in Iraq |
Posted:
12.06.06
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An independent report commissioned by Congress recommends the
United States withdraw combat troops from Iraq by 2008 and cooperate
with neighboring countries.
Printer-friendly version: PDF
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The Iraq Study Group, made up of five Democrats and five Republicans,
delivered the advice to President Bush Wednesday morning after
a nine-month review of what is going right and wrong in Iraq.
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No quick
fixes |
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The group called the situation in Iraq "grave and deteriorating"
and said actions must be taken to protect American interests and
improve conditions.
 "By
the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments
in the security situation on the ground, all combat brigades not
necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq," the
report stated.
The long-awaited study has increased pressure on the president
to find a way out of a war that has lost favor with the American
public.
Though the White House welcomed the study, President Bush said
he would not feel obliged to apply the recommendations nor commit
to a timeframe for troop withdrawal.
"I know there's a lot of speculation that these reports
in Washington mean there's going to be some kind of graceful exit
out of Iraq. We're going to stay in Iraq to get the job done,
so long as the government wants us there," Mr. Bush said
before the report's release.
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The Iraq
Study Group |
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 Republican
James Baker III, secretary of state during the Persian Gulf war,
and Democrat Lee Hamilton, a 34-year congressman, were selected
to lead the study group, which included former Clinton officials
and Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
The group began its work behind closed doors in March, meeting
with some 200 experts and world leaders over eight months, including
the president, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Iraqi
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and representatives from Iraq's
neighbor countries Iran and Syria.
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Cooperation
with U.S. enemies |
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The report's first suggestion
was to increase diplomacy in the Middle East, particularly Iran
and Syria.
 Some
of the worst violence in recent months has been caused by fighting
between Shiite Muslims -- the majority in Iran -- and Sunni Muslims
-- the majority in Syria.
But neither of these countries is considered a friend by the
U.S. government: the State Department considers both countries
sponsors of terrorism.
"I think it's necessary to invite some of these countries
with whom we've had a very rocky relationship over a period of
years if you're going to be thinking in terms of a solution to
the problem," Hamilton told the NewsHour in October.
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'Helping
Iraqis help themselves' |
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 The
group also suggested U.S. troops in Iraq switch focus from combating
insurgents to supporting Iraqi troops.
Though the president has rejected both a pullout and a timeline,
he met with Prime Minister al-Maliki last week to discuss an accelerated
handover of security responsibilities.
Major General William Caldwell, a Pentagon spokesman in Baghdad,
told reporters on Tuesday that Iraq would be under the control
of local police and military forces by early fall of 2007.
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A second
Iraq report |
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The White House is expecting a second review of Iraq strategy
later this month from the Pentagon, the State Department and the
National Security Council, which would give Mr. Bush other options.
 Robert
Gates, who left the Iraq Study Group when President Bush nominated
him to replace outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, told
a Senate committee Tuesday that he didn't believe there were any
new ideas for Iraq. But he did say that it is time for a different
strategy.
"In my view, all options are on the table," he said.
--
Compiled by Adnaan Wasey for NewsHour Extra
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