Iraq wants us out, so it’s time to leave

Walter Morykwas, Las Vegas

Sunday, July 13, 2008 | 2:06 a.m.

In May 2007, President Bush was quoted as saying, “It’s their (Iraq) government’s choice. If they were to say ‘leave,’ we would leave.”

On July 8, 2008, Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was quoted as saying his country wants a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

On July 9, 2008, Iraq Security Adviser Mouwaffak al-Rubaie said his government “would not sign an agreement governing the future role of U.S. troops in Iraq unless it includes a timetable for their withdrawal.” He added that his government is “patiently waiting” for the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

On July 9, 2008, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said, “As the Iraqi security forces get stronger and get better, then we will be able to continue drawing down our troops in the future. However long that takes really will depend on the situation on the ground.”

Question: What about President Bush’s statement that we would leave Iraq if asked to by the Iraq government?

The military situation in Iraq has improved considerably over this past year, so much so that its government thinks the time is right for the withdrawal of all “foreign” troops from the country. The vast majority of Iraqi and American citizens agree. We must not permit the current administration to summarily reject this plea.

The United States is a government of the people. Let us insist that our government engage in a serious negotiation with the Iraqi government with the objective of removing all troops from Iraq as soon as possible.