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| Iraq-Jordan |
| Muslim Nations Want Fewer Coalition Troops in Iraq |
| 2004-07-31 |
| EFL Muslims seem to want the US out so that the status quo can rule the day. WASHINGTON (AP) - Muslim countries being sounded out by Saudi Arabia about sending troops to Iraq want a sizable reduction in U.S. and other coalition troops as part of any agreement. As troops drawn from Muslim countries, most or all from outside the Middle East, took up positions in Iraq, there would be a parallel exodus of coalition soldiers, a senior Saudi official said Friday. The Muslim force would serve in the name of the United Nations and would supplement U.S. and other coalition troops by protecting U.N. officials and helping Iraqi security personnel patrol Iraq's borders to slow the infiltration of foreign fighters. For months, the Bush administration has been unable to persuade any Muslim countries to commit troops to Iraq. The main obstacle was the perception that Arab or other Muslim governments would be contributing to a U.S. occupation of Arab Iraq. The Saudis, who privately dismiss any allegation that the United States wants a long-term presence as an occupying force in Iraq, are trying to counter that argument. A corresponding reduction in U.S. and other coalition forces as Muslim troops arrived would help the Saudis make their case. A partial American withdrawal also could have domestic political dividends in this U.S. presidential election year, where sentiment against American peacekeeping operations is strong. -snip- Secretary of State Colin Powell, in welcoming the Saudis' efforts, said Thursday in Jeddah that many questions need to be answered about the idea, including an offsetting reduction in U.S. and other coalition forces. Referring to the complex proposal, Powell said, "We'll be examining it very, very closely." -snip- |
| Posted by:Super Hose |
| #5 What is the big deal. We just want someone to provide security for the UN. The force will probably neve have to leave Malta. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-07-31 3:45:35 AM |
| #4 I seriously doubt we have any intention of leaving, since we now have an advantage we've never enjoyed before: a land base for our armed forces in the heart of the Middle East. And I don't see us giving that up before we achieve some results in Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2004-07-31 3:36:59 AM |
| #3 Muslim nations are not in the habit of helping others in trouble. The presence of US troops is just an excuse for Muslim's lack of guts and commitment. |
| Posted by: Bryan 2004-07-31 3:32:55 AM |
| #2 It's just a ploy to get the US to withdraw troops from Iraq to complicate an invasion of Iran. Be a shame to pull those troops out, just to send them and their equipment right back again. |
| Posted by: Leigh 2004-07-31 3:21:23 AM |
| #1 I'm not sure this is a good idea. Can any government officials from countries contributing troops to this "Muslim force" give guarantees that there are going to be NO Islamists among members of their respective troop detachments, and that their prejudices will not get in the way of fulfilling their duties? Absent an unqualified yes to both, then the idea is probably best deposited in the trash bin. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-07-31 2:54:29 AM |