Hasty Iraq pullout seen as high risk

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U.S. intelligence and military officials agree with President Bush's belief that a withdrawal of troops from Iraq will increase the danger of global terrorism and further destabilize Iraq, the Middle East and other parts of the world.

Mr. Bush reiterated his position last week, saying that pulling troops out too soon would be "dangerous" to U.S. security.

"Those who justify withdrawing our troops from Iraq by denying the threat of al Qaeda in Iraq and its ties to Osama bin Laden ignore the clear consequences," he said during a speech Tuesday at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina. "If we were to follow their advice, it would be dangerous for the world and disastrous for America."

Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, the commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, agrees that an abrupt change in strategy or a rapid withdrawal of U.S. troops could be dangerous.

"What I would hope for is that we are very deliberate if we have a change in strategy ... and not try to do it in a very quick time frame, because I think there's a lot of danger and risk associated with that," Gen. Odierno said recently.

Two Democratic presidential candidates disagree with that viewpoint and are calling for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

"It doesn't take legislation [to end the war]," Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich, Ohio Democrat, said Monday night during the CNN/YouTube presidential debate. "... We should tell President Bush: no more funds for the war. Use that money to bring the troops home."

During the debate, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico sought to differentiate himself from the Democratic senators running for president, saying he wants troops "home by the end of this year, in six months, with no residual forces."

However, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih told the United Nations on July 20 that early withdrawal of U.S.-led forces "would cause a disaster for Iraq and the region."

The best way forward, he said, is to ensure that Iraqi Security Forces are prepared to defend the country on their own.