I didn't see this diaried yet, and I have yet to ever write a diary, so if I make mistakes, please forgive me.
U.S., Iraq Close to Pullout Terms
The AP is reporting that the United States and Iraq are close to a deal on timetable for withdrawal. The article states that combat troops would be withdrawn by 2010, with remaining troops to be pulled out 3 years later.
The deal seems to be hinging on the U.S.'s request for legal immunity for U.S. troops.
A timetable is part of a security agreement being negotiated by U.S. and Iraqi officials. Both sides stress the deal is not final and could fall apart over the issue of legal immunity for American troops.
While this is far short of Barack Obama's 16 month timetable for withdrawl of U.S. Combat troops, it seems as though the Bush Administration is reversing itself YET AGAIN or is adopting one of Barack Obama's ideas. Is this their "declare victory and get out" strategy at work?
Scarily, however, the AP article also states that
Earlier Thursday, a spokesman for Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said he will call on his fighters to maintain a cease-fire against American troops but may lift the order if the planned Iraq-U.S. security agreement lacks a timetable for the withdrawal of American forces.
Al Sadr's cease fire is probably one of the key, primary reasons the violence in the region has decreased, even though McCain and the Administration like to credit the surge. The surge, whatever its merits or successes, would not have been effective if not for al-Sadr's voluntary cease fire.
I think this is a good opportunity for Obama to hammer on the Bush administration and McCain and perhaps be a net win for him. He is the one calling for a timetable for withdrawl, and now the Bush Administration is adopting it, with their ever shifting definition of victory?
UPDATE: Thanks for the recs, everyone, first diary, first time on the rec list, its a good day in my world! :)