Thursday, May 10, 2007
Iraqi national security advisor lobbies U.S. politicians to keep troops in Iraq
Politics, Security
(UPI) - Iraqi national security advisor Mowaffak Al Rubaie is lobbying US politicians in Washington to keep US troops in Iraq to avoid anarchy. Monday and Tuesday, Rubaie visited two Democrats leading the Congressional charge to reduce troop numbers by fixed dates - Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan and Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, The New York Times reported. "I know that they are running out of patience, and I understand this very well," Rubaie told The Times in an interview. "And we have to play the political game. But I feel we are on the last mile of a walk toward success, and if they let go and don't take our hand, I feel that we are going to lose everything."
President Bush has promised to veto any bill that includes withdrawal dates, and his administration said that it would review troop numbers and tour lengths in September. Meanwhile, Rubaie said that opponents to the war needed to be more aware of consequences of a sudden-pullout. "If you ram it down our throats and sync it to Washington because of the election cycle, things will crumble," he said.
Labels: Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie, U.S. troops
