Phased Withdrawal of U.S. Military Forces

Do the Right Thing: Time to Come Home

The newly elected Iraqi government will gain the credibility and support it needs to govern when the Bush Administration takes initial steps that unambiguously indicate a beginning to the end of the U.S. military occupation. Only as the Iraqi government assumes responsibility for its own security will the insurgency’s strength be sapped. We support a gradual withdrawal of troops according to a negotiated timetable, modified military operations and deployments, and a goal of the complete withdrawal by the end of 2005 as mandated by the UN Security Council authorization of foreign troops in Iraq. The following lays out a plan for a successful resolution in Iraq.

First, the U.S. should begin a gradual, phased decrease in numbers rather than augmenting the size of the force.

It should commit to a withdrawal of U.S. and allied forces under its command by the time the UN mandate expires. The current UN resolution provides for expiration of the mandate for foreign forces to coincide with elections planned for December 2005, following the negotiation of a new and permanent constitution.

A status of forces agreement should be signed with the newly elected government, with clear lines of operational command and control, coordination with Iraqi authorities and a timetable for withdrawal. Such a timetable is a central plank of United Iraqi Alliance, the coalition that dominates the newly elected legislature. It is critical if the newly elected government is to have the credibility and support it needs to govern.

A status of forces The Administration should re-deploy troops away from highly visible or provocative positions and should modify its operations. The military's priority should be to protect civilians, not to destroy insurgents. To implement this shift in priorities, the military should strictly limit operations that endanger civilians and should modify procedures governing arrests, treatment of prisoners and home searches.

Second, the Administration should formally and unequivocally declare that it will not maintain a permanent military presence or military bases in Iraq.

Third, the Administration should take concrete steps to gather international support.

The U.S. should agree to an international conference in the near future to address the myriad of problems – notably, but not exclusively security issues – left in the wake of a U.S. military withdrawal.

The Security Council should authorize and encourage the creation of an international stabilization force to assist the Iraqi authorities with security and training of Iraqi forces.

The phased withdrawal of U.S. troops should be accompanied by greater international involvement in Iraq’s transition and accelerated U.S. and international financial investment in the reconstruction of Iraq.