Timetable to Freedom

A Plan for Iraqi Stability

and Sovereignty

• Begin phased troop withdrawals

• Reestablish Iraqi national army

• Create an international stabilization force

• Provide substantial economic assistance

1. A fixed schedule for disengaging U.S. and other foreign military forces

- the phased withdrawal of U.S. occupation forces

- no permanent bases left behind

2. The rehiring of portions of the former Iraqi national

army

- Iraqi government command of all Iraqi military and police forces

- status-of-forces agreement giving Iraqi government political control over all foreign forces

3. The creation of an international stabilization force

- authorization by the UN Security Council, with the approval of the Iraqi government

- some U.S. forces could serve, along with troops from Arab states and other countries

4. Support for reconstruction and economic development

- $10 billion a year U.S. aid commitment, with

equivalent amounts from other

international donors

- run entirely by the Iraqi government, without U.S.

control, subject only to certified international audit

• Troops can’t leave until there is security

• But U.S. presence is the major source of insecurity

The Security Dilemma

The insurgency is primarilya national resistance against

foreign invasion—a natural response that occurs

often in history

Once the foreign invader is gone,this powerful resistance dynamic

will subside

- the presence of foreign occupation forces provokes resistance

- U.S. troops have been frequent targets of attack

• The withdrawal of U.S. forces

- removes a principal cause of the insurgency

- reduces the level of violence

- encourages other nations to provide support

- gives Iraqis real controlover their country

- enhances the legitimacy andsovereignty of the emergingIraqi government

- there is a major risk of civil conflict

- any large-scale reduction of forces can be destabilizing

But . . .

- reduce gradually in stages

- provide security

alternatives

So . . .

• Concrete security options are available, but will only work if

- There is real commitment and

significant motion toward exit

1. Rehire the Iraq National Army

- Creating a new national army that is not seen as U.S. puppet force will reduce number of attacks vs. Iraqi troops

- Iraqi army can command national respect, especially in Sunni insurgent zones

- assure more balanced officer corps

- combine with current forces

- begin process of integrating militias

2. Create international stabilization force

- to counter internal violence, and strengthen the ability of

emerging government to control the country

- for limited protective deployments in specified localities and potential trouble spots, such as Kirkuk

- approved and under political direction of Iraqi government

- authorized by UN Security Council

- a peace enforcement mission with robust rules of engagement, modeled on Bosnia and Kosovo

- not a passive peacekeeping force

- Arab troops, perhaps even an Arab command structure, to increase Iraqis’ receptivity

- convene international conference to build such a force and to present a timeline for U.S. departure