John Kerry: Violent Iraq Withdrawal Expected

[babylonsister]

Sam Stein

John Kerry: Uptick In Iraq Violence Was Expected, Could Get Worse
04/28/09 10:18 AM


A recent uptick in violence in Iraq was expected and could get worse as the country seeks to reconcile itself politically after years of bitter sectarian conflict, according to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Kerry insisted that the United States' decision to withdraw troops from Iraq remained fundamentally correct and should not be revisited. But he cautioned that the early results of these troop withdrawals -- dictated in large part by the Status of Forces Agreement between the two countries -- would likely not be pretty.

"I think there is probably going to be an increase in violence because they have not resolved their political issues," said Kerry. "That doesn't mean we shouldn't be changing our posture there. It is time for the Iraqis to stand up and take charge. But there will undoubtedly be some violence because political reconciliation that we have long said was necessary has never been achieved."

The remarks were made last Friday as Iraq witnessed a new wave of violence -- the largest since Barack Obama took office -- that claimed roughly 150 lives. The White House, like Kerry, has cited quick political progress in Iraq (pointing to elections that will be held this year) as an antidote for the rise in attacks. "The status of forces agreement demonstrates that we are not going to... have 147,000 or 145,000 troops there for eternity," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, "so that progress has to be made."

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/28/john-kerry-uptick-in-iraq_n_192040.html

[tekisui]

1. This is some hard truth, and much appreciated.

I am glad to hear him speak of the reality that violence will go up, and will NOT be an excuse to stay. That is how bushies played it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Yep, some of us have even said as much here in the good ol DU

[madrchsod]

3. obama needs to put the hammer down on the israeli government...

and get talks started with the countries that border iraq.