Top Commander Denounces Call for Iraq Withdrawal Deadline

BAGHDAD, Nov. 16 -- A top American commander in Iraq on Wednesday denounced calls by some U.S. senators and others for a deadline on withdrawal from Iraq, calling that "a recipe for disaster" for the 2 -year-old war.

"Setting a date would mean that the 221 soldiers I've lost this year, that their lives will have been lost in vain," said Maj. Gen. William Webster, whose 3rd Infantry Division is responsible for security in three-fourths of Iraq's capital.

In recent weeks, several Iraqi insurgent groups -- not including Zarqawi's al Qaeda in Iraq -- have suggested a truce in return for a U.S. deadline on withdrawal, among other conditions.

"Our troops are trying to get this accomplished," Webster told a small group of reporters. "They believe they're doing the right thing. The soldiers believe they're helping."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111601427.html?nav=rss_nation/special

just like we said they would be. Now that we've established that, can we avoid losing any more in vain?

Do soldiers including Maj General understand why Senators are even mentioning a withdrawal date? How intelligence was manipulated? How the Public does not trust Bushco? Bushco is flexing their MSM Manipulation machine again but people are on to their game and will not take it anymore.

I believe I'm going to stumble upon a million dollars in cash being offered to me by a scantily clad Sports Illustrated swimsuit model holding a pitcher of ice cold Margaritas during my afternoon walk.

Unfortunately, to this date, reality has not complied.

their lives will have been lost in vain. What will it mean when we leave after ANOTHER 221,000 soldiers have been lost? I CALL BS just because we have lost life does not necessitate we continue to loose more lives. Especially as our troops are making matters worse. Ask the Iraqis.

Here is an idea ask BUSH why they died!Why did we need Bush's war? WHAT IS THE NOBLE CAUSE?

There is no noble cause...just cause isn't warranted in this war.

and that's dying in vain

worth it?????

Way to toe the party line General, now would you care to tell us the truth?

Now it's just a question of how many more of your men are you willing to sacrifice for an unworthy cause.

Wow.

... senior army leaders, who are supposed to be apolitical, allow themselves to make political comments such as this when it supports the goals of the administration in power.

Sounds like another old army value that got trashed in the rush to get tickets punched, high promotion, and ever-more-meaningless chestfulls of ribbons.

BH

There needs to be a plan, other than staying the course, to bring our troops out of Iraq. Exit criteria and a timeline need to be developed to move the war in Iraq towards resolution. A timeline imposes accountability, something this Administration is allergic to, for if target dates aren't met, there have to be explanations given.

This idea of a "set in stone" deadline is an Administration concoction to avoid accountability. Given this Administration's unwillingness to abide by agreements{ Kyoto, ABM treaty, Geneva Conventions, etal}, I hardly think they would feel obligated to meet any timeline. No, what they fear is accountability for the (here comes the "Q" word) Quagmire that is Iraq.