Iraq Withdrawal Timetable

As of August 25, 2008, the United States and Iraq were continuing to hammer out the specifics of a plan for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq. Subject to the final approval of Iraqi leadership, a tentative plan, floated by Iraq, would call for the removal of combat troops from major Iraqi cities by June 2009 and a virtual all-out withdrawal by December 2011. The United States insists on linking that target to additional security and political progress.¹

Recent Developments

On July 8, 2008, Iraqi officials issued a statement saying that they would not accept a security plan that does not provide a specific date for the withdrawal of United States forces.²

Fast Facts

1. Iraq's National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, stated a plan must have a withdrawal date
2. Nouri al-Maliki had stated that he was pressing for such an agreement
3. Several timetables for withdrawal have been proposed in U.S. Congress
4. No Congressional timetable has passed
5. President George W. Bush has been resistant to setting a timetable for withdrawal in the past¹
6. Barack Obama wants all U.S. combat forces out of Iraq within 16 months of his taking office, saying that they are needed in Afghanistan¹
7. John McCain disagreed, saying withdrawal should be decided based on ground conditions³
8. The U.S. would like to leave as many as 40,000 troops in Iraq for an undefined period of time to assist them in training, logistics and intelligence⁴
9. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice went to Iraq in August 2008 to attempt to push an agreement forward⁵

Withdrawal Timetable Background

The Bush administration has consistently opposed any sort of withdrawal timetable involving U.S. forces in Iraq. Since 2007, the United States and Iraq have been in negotiations to create a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) which would set the terms by which the U.S. military could remain in Iraq. Al-Maliki's government has suggested a timetable for withdrawal might be part of such an agreement, or part of any intermediary agreement.⁶

Quotes

"We will not accept any memorandum of understanding if it does not give a specific date for a complete withdrawal of foreign troops...our stance in the negotiations under way with the American side will be strong"²—Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, Iraq's National Security Adviser, BBC News

'"An agreement has not been signed. There is no agreement until there's an agreement signed. There are discussions that continue in Baghdad."⁷—Tony Fratto, White House spokesman

"I have always said we will come home with honor and with victory and not through a set timetable," he said, adding that Iraqis would act in their national interest and the United States would act in its own interests...we will withdraw, but ... the victory we have achieved so far is fragile and (the redeployment) has to be dictated by events and on the ground."³—John McCain, Agence France-Presse

"I think that his statement is consistent with my view about how withdrawals should proceed...I think it's encouraging...that the prime minister himself now acknowledges that in cooperation with Iraq, it's time for American forces to start sending out a timeframe for the withdrawal...I hope that this administration as well as John McCain is listening to what Prime Minister Al-Maliki has to say."³—Barack Obama, Agence France-Presse

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