Reuters: Iraqis Do/Don’t Want US Pull Out

From the terrorists’ friend Reuters:

Iraqis welcome U.S. Congress vote but fear vacuum

By Mussab Al-Khairalla

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqis are glad U.S. soldiers could soon depart but fearful of what they might leave behind, after the U.S. Congress approved a bill linking troop withdrawals to war funding.

“U.S. forces have to leave Iraq but not now,” said Abu Ali, a 47-year-old trader from the southern city of Basra, on Friday.

“The Iraqi government and its security forces are unable to control security, especially in Baghdad and its neighborhoods.”

Like many, he said tying funding to a timetable to withdraw U.S. troops over the next 11 months would force Iraq’s police and army units to shape up quicker.

“We demand a withdrawal but not in one go, so that there is no vacuum,” said Tarek Qader, a 55-year-old retiree from the northern city of Kirkuk.

Added Baghdad student Ali Adel: “The exit of the occupation has to be preceded by the building of Iraqi forces and national reconciliation.” …

“I’m glad some Americans have finally realized they are no longer welcome here,” said Hakim, a 25-year-old army officer in Baghdad who declined to give his last name…

Some Iraqis said a quick withdrawal would be dangerous. “I would expect a power struggle and the increase of violence,” said Mohammed Younis, a 43-year-old engineer.

Fellow Baghdadi Bassim Abdulla agreed. “Differences in Washington will encourage militants to increase their attacks after they realize Bush has lost domestic support for the war.”

“The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq without ensuring Iraqi troops can provide and maintain security will result in massacres and a humanitarian disaster,” said Omar al-Dulaimi, from Ramadi, in the volatile western Anbar province.

Others felt the presence of U.S. troops was fuelling the insurgency and their departure could only help.

“If the occupation leaves, all acts of violence in Iraq will end due to less suicide bombers, and the interference of neighboring countries will be unjustified,” said Qassim Uthman, a 51-year-old teacher…

Something tells me Reuters cherry-picked their interviews.

Once the US leaves Iraq, there will almost certainly be bloodshed. And the Iraqis — and of course the media — will howl endlessly about how we have abandoned Iraq to slaughter.

After all, we heard the same thing when we withdrew after Gulf War I.

Related Articles:

• Al-Sadr Ministers Quit Cabinet Over Timetable
• Hillary: US Must Stay In Iraq For Its Interests
• Arab League Wants Timetable For Iraq Withdraw
• Patient Hillary Insists US Pullout In 3 Months
• Saudi's May Intervene In Iraq If US Leaves Early
• Khamenei: Iran Will Provide Iraq's Security
• Iraq's Foreign Minister Wants US To Remain
• Iraqi President: US Keeps Others From Invading
• Murtha: Our Enemies Want Us To Stay In Iraq
• NYT: Suddenly Sunnis Love US Big Time
• Kerry, Hillary Were Against Cutting, Running
• Bush Says US Troops Will Stay In Iraq For Years