Rice: U.S., Iraq coming together on timetables
Draft envisions withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq cities by June 30

BAGHDAD - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Thursday the two countries have agreed that timetables should be set for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the battle-scarred country.

Appearing together at a news conference, Rice and Zebari mutually asserted that a final agreement between Washington and Baghdad on a withdrawal plan and accompanying strategic framework pact is close to fruition — but not there yet.

"We have agreed that some goals, some aspirational timetables for how that might unfold, are well worth having in such an agreement," Rice told reporters after meeting with Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The two sides had come together on a draft agreement earlier this week and Rice made an announced visit to Baghdad to press officials there to complete the accord.

Zebari, asked about fears expressed by neighboring countries over such a pact, said in Arabic: "this decision (agreement) is a sovereign one and Iran and other neighboring countries have the right to ask for clarifications. ... There are clear articles (that) say that Iraq will not be used as a launching pad for any aggressive acts against neighboring countries and we already did clarify this."

A key part of the U.S.-Iraqi draft agreement envisions the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq's cities by next June 30.

Read more at MSNBC.com

Rice says U.S., Iraq agree to troop withdrawal timetable


BAGHDAD (AP) — Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Thursday the two countries have agreed that timetables should be set for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the battle-scarred country.
Appearing together at a news conference, Rice and Zebari mutually asserted that a final agreement between Washington and Baghdad on a withdrawal plan and accompanying strategic framework pact is close to fruition — but not there yet.

"We have agreed that some goals, some aspirational timetables for how that might unfold, are well worth having in such an agreement," Rice told reporters after meeting with Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The two sides had come together on a draft agreement earlier this week and Rice made an unannounced visit to Baghdad to press officials there to complete the accord.


Read more in USA Today

its really just called politics and business as usual in an election cycle. Theyre closing up shop and tying all loose ends before another justice dept. and administration has authority to investigate crimes. Anthrax issue has been closed; The world trade center building 7 mystery solved; troops out of Iraq; oil prices sustained ; theyre just closing the case files, so as they cannot be dredged up and exposed. Its sort of why nothing at all means nothing.....until just before an election.....they do what they do, and near the end, clean up their dirty laundry and then pack up everything and salute the next commander and his crew. The American people accept it , buy into it and move on....works everytime doesnt it? ):

In a tur of events that make me scratch my head many news outlets are reporting that there will be a deal between the U.S. and Iraq that will place a timetable on the presence of troops. This comes as a surprise because the administration and their supporters for so long have called the Democrats weak on security and desirous of defeat for wanting a timetable. Obama even got heavily criticized after he talked about a timetable after his recent trip to Iraq.





Is the Administration now willing to look like it accepts defeat? Will the talk radio supporters of the Iraq policy cherrlead now that The Administration itself has decided that a timetable is OK? Or will they now skewer their administration becasue they have agrred to the timetable? Will McCain, who has been an ardent supporter of this policy, jump on board and support the timetable now or will he make a dumb move in an attempt to differentiate himself and criticize the Administration for its decision to set a timetable, eventhough part of the policy has always been to leave when they wanted us to leave?

Just a few questions.