Iraq Withdrawal Timetable

- Security agreement approved November 16, 2008, by 27 of the 28 cabinet ministersThe New York Times: Iraqi Cabinet Approves Security Pact With U.S. (November 16, 2008)
- Current agreement expires December 31, 2008
- Agreement began January 1, 2009 and run through December 31, 2011The New York Times: Iraqi Cabinet Approves Security Pact With U.S. (November 16, 2008)
- Several timetables for withdrawal have been proposed in U.S. Congress
- No Congressional timetable has passed
- President George W. Bush has been resistant to setting a timetable for withdrawal in the pastFOXNews.com: U.S., Iraq Close in on Deal for Pullout of U.S. Troops
- Barack Obama wants all U.S. combat forces out of Iraq within 16 months of his taking office, saying that they are needed in AfghanistanFOXNews.com: U.S., Iraq Close in on Deal for Pullout of U.S. Troops
- 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 intelligenceThe Seattle Times: Iraq, U.S. disagree on timetable for troop withdrawal
- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice went to Iraq in August 2008 to attempt to push an agreement forwardMSNBC: U.S., Iraq close to deal on pullout by end of 2011

President Obama laid out plans to withdraw most U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of August 2010, in a speech at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on February 27, 2009. He also remarked that all troops will be out of Iraq by December 31, 2011.CNN.com: Obama: U.S. to withdraw most... (February 27, 2009)
Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told media sources on May 3, 2009, that Iraq would adhere to the withdrawal schedule established jointly by Iraq and Barack Obama in January, requiring that US troops to be withdrawn from towns and cities by June and a full withdrawal by the end of 2011.Reuters: Iraq rules out extension of U.S. withdrawal dates (May 3, 2009)
Iraq Withdrawal

Throughout 2008, the United States and Iraq were involved in complex negotiations 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 summer of 2009 and a virtual all-out withdrawal by December 2011. On February 27, 2009, the President held to the ultimate removal of troops by year end 2011, but has extended the timetable before the first wave of removal. According to the President, 35,000 to 50,000 troops will remain in Iraq by Auagust 2010.FOXNews.com: U.S., Iraq Close in on Deal for Pullout of U.S. Troops A version of this deal has been approved by a majority of Iraqi cabinet ministers, allowing it move forward for final approval by the government.BBC: Iraq cabinet backs US troops deal (November 16, 2008)CNN.com: Obama: U.S. to withdraw most... (February 27, 2009)
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.Reuters: Iraq Says May Agree to Timetable for U.S. Withdrawal (July 7, 2008)
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"BBC News: Iraq warns US on withdrawal date (July 8, 2008)--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."The Seattle Times: [Iraq, U.S. disagree on timetable for troop withdrawal--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."Agence France-Presse: McCain, Obama at odds over Iraqi... (July 8, 2008)--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."Agence France-Presse: McCain, Obama at odds over Iraqi... (July 8, 2008)--Barack Obama, Agence France-Presse