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Crocker Cautions Against Abrupt Iraq Withdrawal

Ambassador cautions that al-Qaeda will take advantage of power vacuum

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 22, 2009 4:14 PM CST

(Newser) – The US ambassador to Iraq warned today against an abrupt troop withdrawal, saying it would invite foreign fighters, CNN reports. If we “decide suddenly we’re done, they would certainly work to use space that opened up,” Ryan Crocker said of al-Qaeda. Crocker, who will step down shortly, said President Obama’s plan for withdrawal, if executed wisely, could mesh with the conditions of the US-Iraq security pact.

Despite improved political and public-safety conditions, but said “there is still a ways to go, and clearly I think still a continuing need for our security support.” Obama’s 16-month withdrawal plan has troops out roughly 1½ years before the current deadline. An Iraqi spokesman said early withdrawal was acceptable as long as it is “responsible, not sudden, and not a unilateral decision.”

US soldiers secure the area where a roadside bomb exploded in Baghdad on Tuesday.
US soldiers secure the area where a roadside bomb exploded in Baghdad on Tuesday.   (AP Photo)
US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and deputy interior minister Adanan al-Asadi.
US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and deputy interior minister Adanan al-Asadi.   (AP Photo)
President George W. Bush presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Ambassador Ryan Crocker.
President George W. Bush presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Ambassador Ryan Crocker.   (AP Photo)
US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker.
US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Jan 23, 2009 8:43 PM CST
Obama has always said that we need to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. Or has that fact escaped you?
justme
Jan 22, 2009 8:05 PM CST
O My Gosh!! Bush and friends may have gotten it right? Or is it better to pull out fast and fail just so you can blame the failure on Bush.
Doctor-Zaius
Jan 22, 2009 7:27 PM CST
Tell Betty to STFU.

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