Transcript Timetable to Freedom A Plan for Iraqi Stability and Sovereignty • Begin phased troop withdrawals • Reestablish Iraqi national army • Create an international stabilization.

Timetable to Freedom
A Plan for Iraqi Stability
and Sovereignty
• Begin phased troop withdrawals
• Reestablish Iraqi national army
• Create an international
stabilization force
• Provide substantial economic
assistance
1. A fixed schedule for
disengaging U.S. and other
foreign military forces
- the phased withdrawal
of U.S. occupation forces
- no permanent bases
left behind
2. The rehiring of portions of
the former Iraqi national
army
- Iraqi government command of all
Iraqi military and police forces
- status-of-forces agreement
giving Iraqi government
political control over all
foreign forces
3. The creation of an
international stabilization force
- authorization by the
UN Security Council, with the
approval of the
Iraqi government
- some U.S. forces
could serve,
along with troops
from Arab states
and other countries
4. Support for reconstruction
and economic development
- $10 billion a year U.S. aid
commitment, with equivalent
amounts from other international
donors
- run entirely by the Iraqi
government, without U.S.
control, subject only to
certified international audit
The Security Dilemma
• Troops can’t leave until
there is security
• But U.S. presence is
the major source
of insecurity
The insurgency is primarily
a national resistance against
foreign invasion—
a natural response that occurs
often in history
Once the foreign invader is gone,
this powerful resistance dynamic
will subside
- the presence of foreign
occupation forces
provokes resistance
- U.S. troops have been
frequent targets of attack
• The withdrawal of U.S. forces
- removes a principal cause
of the insurgency
- reduces the level of violence
- encourages other
nations to provide support
- gives Iraqis real control
over their country
- enhances the legitimacy and
sovereignty of the emerging
Iraqi government
But . . .
- there is a major risk of
civil conflict
- any large-scale reduction of
forces can be destabilizing
So . . .
- reduce gradually
in stages
- provide
security alternatives
• Concrete security options
are available, but will only
work if
- There is real commitment and
significant motion toward exit
1. Rehire the Iraq National Army
- Creating a new national army
that is not seen as U.S.
puppet force will reduce
number of attacks vs.
Iraqi troops
- Iraqi army can
command
national respect,
especially in Sunni
insurgent zones
- assure more balanced
officer corps
- combine with current forces
- begin process of
integrating militias
2. Create international
stabilization force
- to counter internal violence,
and strengthen the ability of
emerging government
to control the country
- for limited protective
deployments in specified
localities and potential
trouble spots, such as Kirkuk
- approved and under political
direction of Iraqi government
- authorized by UN Security
Council
- a peace enforcement
mission with robust
rules of engagement,
modeled on Bosnia
and Kosovo
- not a passive
peacekeeping force
- Arab troops, perhaps even an
Arab command structure, to
increase Iraqis’ receptivity
- convene international
conference to build such a
force and to present a timeline
for U.S. departure