NYTIMES/AP:
EVEN JUST FOR A CHANGE OF PACE!
The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the U.S.-led multinational force in Iraq for one year, a move that Iraq's prime minister said would be his nation's ''final request'' for help.
Authorization for the 160,000-strong multinational force was extended until the end of 2008 because ''the threat in Iraq continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,'' according to the resolution.
Iraq's U.N. Ambassador Hamid Al Bayati called it a historic day for the country because the council renewed the mandate ''for the last time'' after long and hard negotiation. He expressed hope that the council would deal with Iraq without any military authorizations after 2008.
''We realize that Iraq still needs more time and intensive efforts to enable our armed forces to take over the security responsibilities all over Iraq from the multinational forces,'' he said, noting that Iraqi forces took responsibility for Basra two days ago and now control nine provinces.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad formally introduced the resolution Tuesday afternoon and soon after the council met to approve it.
After the 15-0 vote, Khalilzad cited ''positive developments in Iraq'' including reduced violence. He welcomed the council's support for the Iraqi government's desire ''to sustain this momentum'' and keep the force in the country.
The resolution requires a review of the mandate at the request of the Iraqi government or by June 15, 2008. It reiterates a provision of past resolutions that the council ''will terminate this mandate earlier'' if Iraq requests that.
It also says the Security Council would have to consider Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's request, in a letter on Dec. 7 to the Security Council's president, that ''this is to be the final request ... for the extension of the mandate'' for the U.S.-led force.
- WE NOW HAVE AN EXIT DATE GOAL: 12/18/08.
- AND THIS HAS THE UNANIMOUS SUPPORT OF THE UNSC AND THE MALIKI GOVERNMENT.
- NOW... WILL HARRY REID AND THE REST OF THE DEFEATISTS PLEASE STFU.
- AND THOSE WHO CLAIM WE HAVE NO SUPPORT: STFU2.
- AND SHOWING A LITTLE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS WOULD BE NICE.
EVEN JUST FOR A CHANGE OF PACE!
3 comments:
It buys time. But it is still a timetable. If Iran is still unencumbered this time next year, it is merely an invitation for Ahmadinejad to wait until the circumstances are right for him to activate the Qods force.
i think we will have bases there and forces in the region along with nato.
so if iran tries something major we can react.
obama already came out AGAINST bases.
i think this is the next political battle.
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