Towards Iraqi Reconciliation

In January Bush said he would pullout of Iraq if the new Iraq government (this was before the elections) asked him to pullout. On the other hand, the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance list had originally called for an American troop withdrawal, but that plan was dropped even before the January 30 elections, presumably because of American pressure. Well, the Iraq government and the Iraqi people are now asking for the withdrawal, better still, the preparatory reconiciliation conference, held in Cairo under the auspices of the Arab League, accepted the right for Iraqi groups to mount an armed resistance against the foreign troops:


Iran Urges Iraq to Seek Pullout Timetable
Nov 22, 6:28 PM (ET)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's supreme leader urged the Iraqi president on Tuesday to seek a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, saying the American presence harms the country.

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Iraqi Leaders Call for Pullout Timetable
By Salah Nasrawi
Tuesday November 22, 2005 3:16 AM

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Leaders of Iraq's sharply divided Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis called Monday for a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces in the country and said Iraq's opposition had a ''legitimate right'' of resistance.

The final communique, hammered out at the end of three days of negotiations at a preparatory reconciliation conference under the auspices of the Arab League, condemned terrorism, but was a clear acknowledgment of the Sunni position that insurgents should not be labeled as terrorists if their operations do not target innocent civilians or institutions designed to provide for the welfare of Iraqi citizens.

The participants in Cairo agreed on ''calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops according to a timetable, through putting in place an immediate national program to rebuild the armed forces ... control the borders and the security situation'' and end terror attacks.

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Debate in Washington over when to bring troops home turned bitter last week after decorated Vietnam War vet Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., called for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, and estimated a pullout could be complete within six months. Republicans rejected Murtha's position.

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The conference also decided on broad conditions for selecting delegates to a wider reconciliation gathering in the last week of February or the first week of March in Iraq. It essentially opens the way for all those who are willing to renounce violence against fellow Iraqis.

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Poll: Iraqis not in favor of occupation

BASRA, Iraq, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- A poll of Iraqis found most think the occupation forces are hurting the country and 45 percent approve of attacks on foreign troops.

The London Telegraph obtained a copy of the results of the study which showed that in some areas 65 percent support attacks, and less than one percent think the occupation is improving security.

The poll, conducted by Iraqi university researchers who were not told the data would be used by Britain's Defense Ministry, showed stark numbers against the occupation forces, which contradicts the positive message coming from London and Washington.

Eighty-two percent of respondents said they "strongly oppose" troops being in their country, 67 percent feel less secure and 72 percent have no confidence that the occupation will succeed.