Clinton urges Iraq withdrawal

2008-04-08 21:16

Washington - Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton on Tuesday poured disdain on assurances by the top US general and diplomat in Iraq that US policy was working and demanded an orderly troop withdrawal.

"For the past five years, we have continually heard from the administration that things are getting better, that we are about to turn the corner," the New York senator told General David Petraeus and US ambassador to Baghdad Ryan Crocker.

"Each time, Iraqi leaders fail to deliver," she said, saying it was time to start an "orderly" US withdrawal from Iraq.

"It might well be irresponsible to continue the policy that has not produced the results that have been promised time and time again."

Clinton, who appeared more disdainful, yet less confrontational than she had been in a previous hearing involving Petraeus in September, instead dwelt on the huge costs to US troops and their families of staying in Iraq.

She said the situation in Iraq was "tenuous" and did not merit the upbeat descriptions of the US administration.

"What conditions would have to exist for you to recommend to the President that the current strategy is not working?" she asked.

"How are we to judge General Petraeus what the conditions are, or should be and the actions that you and the administration would recommend pursing, based on them?"

- AFP