USA and UK Set Timetable for Troop Withdrawal from Iraq

According to the World Tribune, America and Great Britain has officially set a timetable for withdrawing from Iraq. The first troops would leave in late 2005 and by the end of 2006 all troops may have been replaced with "civilian advisors."

The sources said London and Washington have approved a plan that would replace military troops with civilian advisers to the Iraqi military, police and security forces. The sources said these advisers would train and mentor Iraqi forces in such operations as counter-insurgency and border security, Middle East Newsline reported. "The agreement is that the first troops would leave in late 2005," a source said. "The number of troops and withdrawal timetable would depend on operational considerations." The agreement was reached during talks between U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon on Jan. 24. The London-based Guardian daily reported Hoon agreed to recommendations by a retired U.S. general, Gary Luck, on the use of Western advisers to help accelerate Iraqi military and police training....The sources said the first milestone to the effectiveness of Iraqi troops was the national elections on Jan. 30.

My first reaction to this news was to chalk it up to conrtrarian sources looking to act as "spoilers" on the currently upbeat mood after the successful national elections. But the more I think about it, the more it really looks like a move to encourage Iraqis, by essentially saying, "You did your part of the bargain and began taking control of your own affairs. Now, we will fulfill our side of the deal and let you know that there WILL be an end to our 'occupation'. Within 2 years, Iraq will stand strong and independent again." Of course, 2 years is still a long way away.