| Author | Message | ||
     Pkforbes87 |
Your thoughts? http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529510,00.html  BAGHDAD — Iraq officially took control of its fate Tuesday as the U.S. pulled its combat troops out of Baghdad and other cities and towns, handing over security responsibilities to Iraqi forces. The withdrawal completed the Status of Forces agreement signed last November, and touched off celebrations in Baghdad and other cities. "It is a day when Iraqis celebrate as they continue to move towards exercising their full sovereignty," U.S. Commanding General Ray Odierno told FOX News. "The Iraqi people should be very proud of the dedication, progress, and sacrifice of the Iraqi security forces and the government of Iraq." Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declared Tuesday to be "National Sovereignty Day," complete with a military parade to display to Iraqis — and a still stubborn insurgency — its ability to maintain order in a nation ravaged by six years of war. "This day, which we consider a national celebration, is an achievement made by all Iraqis," al-Maliki said in a televised speech. "Our incomplete sovereignty and the presence of foreign troops is the most serious legacy we have inherited (from Saddam). Those who think that Iraqis are unable to defend their country are committing a fatal mistake," he said. But the dangers facing Iraq were brought into stark focus Monday as U.S. military officials reported that four American soldiers were killed in combat on the eve of the withdrawal. Officials said the four soldiers served with the Multi-National Division-Baghdad, but did not provide further details pending notification of their families. The soldiers died as a "result of combat related injuries," officials said. The withdrawal that was completed late Monday is part of a U.S.-Iraqi security pact and marks the first major step toward withdrawing all American forces from the country by Dec. 31, 2011. President Barack Obama has said all combat troops will be gone by the end of August 2010. President Jalal Talabani said the day could not have happened without the help of the United States, which invaded Iraq in 2003 with the aim of ousting Saddam Hussein — who was later convicted by an Iraqi court and executed in Dec. 2006. Related Stories "While we celebrate this day, we express our thanks and gratitude to our friends in the coalition forces who faced risks and responsibilities and sustained casualties and damage while helping Iraq to get rid from the ugliest dictatorship and during the joint effort to impose security and stability," Talabani said. Describing June 30 as a "glorious page" in Iraq's history, Talabani warned that "security will not be achieved completely without proper political environment and without a real national unity and reconciliation." Iraq marked the day with an overnight display of fireworks, while thousands attended a party in a park where singers performed patriotic songs. The midnight handover to Iraqi forces filled many citizens with pride but also trepidation that government forces are not ready and that violence will rise. Shiites fear more bombings by Sunni militants; Sunnis fear that the Shiite-dominated Iraqi security forces will give them little protection. If the Iraqis can hold down violence in the coming months, it will show the country is finally on the road to stability. If they fail, it will pose a challenge to Obama's pledge to end a war that has claimed the lives of more than 4,300 U.S. troops and thousands of Iraqis. Despite Tuesday's formal pullback, some U.S. troops will remain in the cities to train and advise Iraqi forces. U.S. troops will return to the cities only if asked. The U.S. military will continue combat operations in rural areas and near the border, but only with the Iraqi government's permission. Gen. Odierno told FOX News, "Our combat forces partnering with the Iraqi security forces will secure the belts and borders in an attempt to eliminate safe havens and sanctuaries, and to limit freedom of movement of insurgents and prevent the facilitation of foreign fighters through the borders." The U.S. has not said how many troops will be in the cities in advisory roles, but the vast majority of the more than 130,000 U.S. forces remaining in the country will be in large bases scattered outside cities. There have been some worries that the 650,000-member Iraqi military is not ready to maintain stability and deal with a stubborn insurgency. Privately, many U.S. officers worry the Iraqis will be overwhelmed if violence surges, having relied for years on the Americans for nearly everything. | ||
| Mortarmanmike120 |
Doesn't change my upcoming paid vacation in the least. Only time will tell. I do look forward to the day OIF is in the past. But only under our terms and when the time is right. Arbitrary political timetables be damned. | ||
| Xb9er |
Dont worry about this. They make it seem like a big thing. It only effects baghdad. I was bumbed out that it didnt effect my operations here. We are still going 100 mph. | ||
| Ducbsa |
How many pols who were for the war then against the war are claiming credit for the success now? | ||
| Mortarmanmike120 |
Does that include the ones who were against it before they were for it or only the ones who were against it after they were for it because I'm sure some were against it before they were for it before they were against it. We dont want to confuse the against, for, against pols with the for, against pols. WTF was I asking? Doesn't matter, I'm sure all the wrong people will be claiming credit. | ||
| Greenlantern |
How many pols who were for the war then against the war are claiming credit for the success now? Dude, I only have a Mac! you need like a Hal 9000 for calculations like that or Jesus, I hear he is like 5 Hal 9000s'.  | ||
| Aesquire |
Honestly, I don't care if Obama takes all the credit. As long as we don't screw the Iraqi people by letting them get creamed by AQ & Iran, we did the job. They have to take responsibility for their own freedom sooner or later, and they seem to be getting the idea. You can give someone freedom, but they have to keep it for themselves. As far as the politicians that gave aid & comfort to the enemy? We haven't declared war properly since 1941, so no court will convict them. Just don't vote for them & encourage others not to as well. Run against them if you are so inclined. More people should. | ||
| Cudajohn |
The fallback of U.S. troops to rural areas sparked celebrations in Iraq but no public thanks for sacrifices that made the streets safe for parades. A self-congratulatory speech by Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki did not mention U.S. troops. They don't need anything from him, but a simple nod to their sacrifice wouldn't have cost Maliki much. Around the world, reports of the withdrawal blame the United States for failing to rebuild Iraq and causing civil strife. Nothing is said about how difficult it has been to give self-rule a fighting chance in Iraq. Last week, Lt. Col. Timothy Karcher of Texas, commander of the forces in Baghdad's Sadr City, said, "We will be gone in whatever way the Iraqi government tells us to be gone." The significance of such a humble statement from a top leader of the world's most powerful military appears lost on most Iraqis. Shortly after he handed over a symbolic key to the city to his Iraqi counterparts, a roadside bomb blew off both of Karcher's legs. His driver died in the blast. The sergeant who rushed Karcher to the hospital and saved his life was ambushed and killed on his way back to his unit. These events were largely unnoticed even in the United States, obsessed with the peaceful death of singer Michael Jackson. Privately, Maliki did thank the U.S. commander, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, for the sacrifice of the troops. Too bad he didn't feel confident enough to make the thanks public. At least 3,455 troops have been killed in hostile action in Iraq. That's more than the entire student body of Eckerd College. More than 30,000 have been wounded. The sacrifice wasn't made to control Iraq, and it wasn't done for oil, as the anti-American world widely believed. Iraq did make a few oil deals with foreign companies, but it is reserving much of its oil for state-owned firms. President Barack Obama correctly says that "Iraq's future is in the hands of its own people." We don't blame Iraqis for celebrating a milestone on the path toward some degree of self-defense. What is irritating is that so many Iraqis blame U.S. troops for their problems. "All of us are happy - Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds on this day," one Iraqi celebrant told a reporter. "The Americans harmed and insulted us too much." But it wasn't the Americans who blew up a market full of women and children the other day. "The Americans' cowboy style was annoying," another Iraqi said. Well, some of the Americans were cowboys and would have been happy to stay back on the ranch. Many serving in Iraq were in reserves or Guard units and had not bargained for so much wartime duty. They are police officers, teachers, engineers, truck drivers and doctors. They left their homes, jobs and families for many months at a time and did the best they could in extremely difficult conditions. It takes courage and pluck to stand up to terrorists and survive the daily stress of not knowing when something is going to explode beneath you. The violence decreased after Gen. David Petraeus surged troop numbers in a gamble to overwhelm the insurgents. It put added stress on troops and their families, but it worked. An earlier commander, Gen. John Abizaid, had warned that a surge could not be sustained and would cause Iraqi resentment. He too was right, and that resentment is apparent now. Instead of cheering the troops' departure, Iraqis better hope they have enough cowboys in their own ranks to face down the terrorists one-on-one in dark alleys and lonely streets. If not, the celebration is premature. Tampa Tribune |
