Democrats urge troop withdrawal

WASHINGTON – Leading Senate Democrats called Monday for a “phased withdrawal” of U.S. forces from Iraq, outlining what they hope will become a consensus position on the war that will help their party speak with a more unified voice.

The new Democratic proposal sets a starting point of this year for withdrawing troops but does not set an end date or demand a particular pace for the redeployment, said Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. He said he planned to offer the measure as an amendment to a defense spending bill being debated this week in the Senate.

It also calls on the administration to develop a plan for the continued withdrawal of troops beyond 2006, and to change the definition of the mission from occupation to training, logistical support and counterterrorism.

The measure is co-sponsored by Sens. Jack Reed, D-R.I., Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Ken Salazar, D-Colo. It has gained the support of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, of Nevada, and other party leaders.

“This amendment was crafted to get the support of a majority of Democrats as well as some Republicans,” said Reid spokesman Jim Manley.