Updated: 10:05 AM EST
Many Iraqis Want U.S. Troops Out -- but Not Right Away
By Mussab Al-Khairalla, Reuters
BAGHDAD (Feb. 3) - Buoyed by the success of the weekend's elections
but still facing a daily struggle to survive amid violence and power
shortages, few Iraqis watched U.S. President George W. Bush's State of
the Union address.
But while Iraqis interviewed in Baghdad on Thursday overwhelmingly
said U.S.-led troops should leave their country, many agreed with Bush
that it was too early to draw up a timetable for withdrawal for the
moment.
"I don't think it's right for the Americans to withdraw any time soon,
they have more things to finish," said 35-year-old Jelil Saad. "We
need to build up our army before we can think about this issue. A
premature withdrawal will not guarantee us stability."
In his speech, Bush promised that following Iraq's watershed elections
last Sunday the United States would begin a "new phase" and
increasingly focus on training Iraqi forces to allow for an eventual
U.S. pullout.
He rejected appeals from some Democrats for setting a troop withdrawal
timetable. "We will not set an artificial timetable for leaving Iraq,
because that would embolden the terrorists and make them believe they
can wait us out," he said.
A prominent group of Sunni Arab Muslim clerics that boycotted the
elections says it will rejoin the political process in Iraq if a
timetable is set for a U.S. withdrawal.
The Unified Iraqi Alliance, a Shi'ite-dominated list set to dominate
the new National Assembly after the polls, has also said it may
discuss a timetable for foreign troops to leave.
Washington says it will pull its troops out if the Iraqi government
asks, but does not expect this to happen.
Many Iraqis said a withdrawal should not be based on a specific
timetable, but should depend on the progress made by Iraqi soldiers
and police.
"I think we need America to stay and act like a bodyguard for us to
make sure we can build our army and defend our country from people who
want to destroy it," said 68-year-old Abu Idris, selling vegetables
from a food stand. "Our army definitely needs more sophisticated
weapons and equipment."
But others said they wanted to be given at least some indication of
when foreign troops would leave.
"I think there has to be at least a rough timetable given, even if
they don't stand by it precisely," said Sabria Ahmed, a 36-year-old
primary school teacher.
"We need to see a reduction in the number pretty soon so those
sceptical about their intentions can be reassured."
Sajjad Ibrahim said he believed U.S. forces will remain indefinitely
and talk of a withdrawal is just a waste of time.
"America will never leave, they've spent a lot of money and effort on
Iraq," said the 24-year-old guard. "But if they bring us democracy and
stability their presence won't bother me as long as they stay in
bases."
02/03/05 08:47 ET
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