clipped from hosted.ap.org
WASHINGTON (AP) — Five years after launching the invasion of Iraq, President Bush strongly signaled Wednesday that he won’t order troop withdrawals beyond those already planned because he refuses to “jeopardize the hard-fought gains” of the past year.
As anti-war activists demonstrated around downtown Washington, the president spoke at the Pentagon to mark the anniversary of a war that has cost nearly 4,000 U.S. lives and roughly $500 billion. The president’s address was part of a series of events the White House planned around the anniversary and next month’s report from the top U.S. figures in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker. That report will be the basis for Bush’s first troop-level decision in seven months.
“The battle in Iraq has been longer and harder and more costly than we anticipated,” Bush said. ya think? And how long do you think the US can foot the $12 billion monthly tab President Bush?
But, he added, before an audience of Pentagon brass, soldiers and diplomats: “The battle in Iraq is noble, it is necessary, and it is just. And with your courage, the battle in Iraq will end in victory.” noble, necessary and just, unbelievable!
And comments the 3 US Presidential candidates made today marking the 5th anniversary of the US led invasion of Iraq:
* Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton told an audience of supporters in Detroit that the United States could start withdrawing troops within 60 days of her taking office and that it was up to the Iraqis to take responsibility for their country’s future.
“We cannot win their civil war. There is no military solution,” Clinton said.
* Democratic candidate Barack Obama said if elected he would immediately begin withdrawing troops in a process that could last 16 months, leaving only forces to guard the U.S. embassy and “a counter-terrorism force to strike al Qaeda if it forms a base that the Iraqis cannot destroy.”
In a speech in North Carolina, he criticized Clinton, for voting for the Senate 2002 resolution that authorized President George W. Bush to take military action in Iraq. “Ask yourself: who do you trust to end a war — someone who opposed the war from the beginning, or someone who started opposing it when they started preparing a run for president?”
* Republican candidate John McCain, who visited Iraq this week, said in a statement that “America and our allies stand on the precipice of winning a major victory against radical Islamic extremism.
“The security gains over the past year have been dramatic and undeniable. … Americans should be proud that they led the way in removing a vicious, predatory dictator and opening the possibility of a free and stable Iraq.”
Source: Reuters
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Hmmmmm. I wish I knew what the best thing for everyone would be. I am all about peace and I know what I would like but there is no easy answer when so many people are concerned. Will definately keep thinking about this one. heidi
The best thing is to say to our Allies and to the world that even though we try to be noble, we did make mistakes here and that it is not the sole responsibility of the US to try to police the morals of the world. We need the world’s help to leave Iraq because it will be the best thing for the world, Irag and the US. We can no longer fund this war with our dollars and lives, if we continue, the whole world will suffer and go into a recession, if we pull out too soon (which it appears that has a strong possibility of happening), the country of Iraq will go into chaos and fall back 50 years or eventually cease to exist and be dvided up into seperate countries or be annex by others.
Sorry, our leaders made some major mistakes in their decisions but were too proud and STUBBORN to admit it. Politics instead of leadership! I believe the world would listen to our apology and requests and would work with us. As Gump would say “that’s all I have to say about that”.
Great post, showing all the candidate’s takes on Iraq. I am personally focusing on peace.