Pelosi Statement on Iraqi Government's Support for Withdrawal of U.S. Troops From Iraq

July 21, 2008

Washington, D.C -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today reacting to comments by a spokesman for the Iraqi government, following a meeting between Senator Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, in which the spokesman said Iraqis would like to see the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops by 2010.

"President Bush has long maintained that the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq should be governed by the situation in Iraq. It is now clear that the situation in Iraq is that Prime Minister al-Maliki and other Iraqi leaders want the withdrawal of our combat forces to be completed within a 16-month period, as recommended by Senator Obama.

"The safety of our troops demands that their withdrawal be well-planned. President Bush should direct officials of his Administration to meet immediately with their Iraqi counterparts to draft plans for the secure withdrawal of our forces within the timetable endorsed last week and today by Iraq's leaders. The honorable, responsible, and safe redeployment of our troops out of Iraq will enable us to refocus on the real war on terrorism in Afghanistan and around the world."