U.S. role continues Partnership in Iraq could last for years

WASHINGTON — U.S. troops are out of Iraq’s cities, but not its future.

Even a best-case scenario is likely to feature an American role there for years — militarily as well as diplomatically.

That does not mean a permanent large U.S. troop presence in Iraq. Under a security deal struck with the Bush administration, American forces are to be out by the end of 2011.

But it’s no secret that Iraq’s security forces are not fully ready to handle even a diminished insurgency on their own.

Some senior U.S. military officers say privately they anticipate setbacks in coming months, particularly if the insurgents regroup. But by partnering with American forces, the Iraqis stand a good chance of succeeding. That is why a number of U.S. troops will remain in the cities to assist and advise.

But most were gone Tuesday as Iraqis marked National Sovereignty Day with parades and marching bands in Baghdad.

President Barack Obama made clear Tuesday that while he expects violence to persist, the final outcome is an Iraqi responsibility. "Iraq’s future is in the hands of its own people,” he said from the White House. "And Iraq’s leaders must now make some hard choices necessary to resolve key political questions” and to provide security.

There are still about 131,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. They won’t be fighting in urban areas any more, unless the Iraqi government asks for their help. Instead they will focus on securing Iraq’s borders, keeping insurgents on the run in rural areas and conducting training with Iraqi forces.

Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said Tuesday he was hopeful, in part because Iraqis have embraced the U.S. urban withdrawal as a confidence booster.



by the associated press