Obama urges Iraqis to take charge

Keyanna Spears
4/19/09
6:33pm
News.bbc.com
Obama urges Iraqis to take charge

President Obama made an unexpected visit to Baghdad and there he met with leaders and confirmed the withdrawal of troops by the end of 2011. He also met with the commander of the Iraqi military, General Ray Odierno, and the U.S military soldiers who are serving at Camp Victory military base. President Obama warned the troops that the next eighteen months would be a critical point in this war. He also mentioned that he wants soldiers out of Iraq cites by the middle of the summer and most of them out of Iraq altogether by the end of 2010. A small group of soldiers however, will have to remain in Iraq but are expected to be out by 2011.President Obama tells the soldiers that it is now time to “transfer” control over to the Iraqis so that they can began to “take responsibility for their country.” By continually mentioning to the soldiers and the American public that the troops should be out of Iraq by 2011 President Obama has “renewed the American commitment to Iraq and to withdrawing troops as previously planned.” Progress has improved regarding the security of the Iraqis and troops as we prepare to withdraw. Security is also a very critical point in the withdrawal of our troops. As security gets stronger it will be one small step at making the withdrawal a little easier for our troops and American contractors. During this surprise trip to Baghdad President Obama let the Iraqi leaders know that when we are finally able to fully withdraw that it would be “responsible” and “without plunging the country into chaos.”