Bush: Stay In Iraq Forever

President Bush wants to maintain an "enduring" relationship with Iraq. The short version is a continued U.S. military presence.

Security: To support the Iraqi government in training, equipping, and arming the Iraqi Security Forces so they can provide security and stability to all Iraqis; support the Iraqi government in contributing to the international fight against terrorism by confronting terrorists such as Al-Qaeda, its affiliates, other terrorist groups, as well as all other outlaw groups, such as criminal remnants of the former regime; and to provide security assurances to the Iraqi Government to deter any external aggression and to ensure the integrity of Iraq's territory.

Senators Jim Webb (D-VA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Carl Levin (D-MI) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY) responded to that with a terse letter to the President. Short version: not without Congressional approval.

The future of American policy towards Iraq, especially in regard to the issues of U.S. troop levels, permanent U.S. military bases, and future security commitments, has generated strong debate among the American people and their elected representatives. Agreements between our two countries relating to these issues must involve the full participation and consent of the Congress as a co-equal branch of the U.S. government. Furthermore, the future U.S. presence in Iraq is a central issue in the current Presidential campaign. We believe a security commitment that obligates the United States to go to war on behalf of the Government of Iraq at this time is not in America’s long-term national security interest and does not reflect the will of the American people. Commitments made during the final year of your Presidency should not unduly or artificially constrain your successor when it comes to Iraq.

The letter is a waste of time. When does Bush ever listen to anyone that is not a neoconservative when it comes to foreign policy matters. I am open to bases in Kurdistan, as well as diplomatic efforts to ease the tensions between the Kurds and Turkey. The Kurds have made it quite clear they have no interest in a longterm U.S. military presence.

The sad thing is the Kurds are the most friendly Iraqis towards the United States. When they want Americans gone that shows all efforts to win the hearts and minds of Iraqis is over. Nouri al Maliki only wants the United States to stay because his days of political power are over the moment the last boots leave the ground.