Warner wants start to pullout

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Warner, R-Va., urged President Bush on Thursday to announce in mid-September that he is beginning to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq.

Warner, perhaps the most influential Republican senator on national security issues, said that withdrawing a small number of troops – perhaps as few as 5,000 – would send a “sharp, clear message” to Iraq, America and the world that the U.S. commitment in Iraq isn’t open-ended.

Warner’s statement reflects Republican discontent with Bush’s Iraq policy. However, the Virginia Republican made clear that he won’t support efforts by congressional Democrats to impose a withdrawal timetable on Bush. Asked if he’d vote for Congress to order a withdrawal if Bush refuses, Warner said that it’s Bush’s responsibility under the Constitution, not Congress’.

Democrats had been hoping that Warner would help lead Republicans to break decisively with Bush. His stand Thursday, however, helps to ensure that Bush will prevail over Democrats on the issue, because without substantial Republican support, they lack the votes to override Bush’s veto.

“I don’t for a minute advocate any rapid pullout or any other type of action of that nature,” Warner said. While he’s criticized Bush’s troop “surge” in the past, he’s also voted against withdrawal timelines.

Warner visited Iraq last week. He voiced grave disappointment Thursday with the U.S.-backed Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

“I really firmly believe the Iraqi government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Maliki, has let our troops down,” he said, although he stopped short of calling for al-Maliki to resign.

The former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee quoted Bush telling al-Maliki on Jan. 10 that America’s commitment “is not open-ended.” He quoted Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, who recently warned al-Maliki that America’s support for his government is “not a blank check.”

“The time has come to put some meaningful teeth in those comments,” Warner said, “to back ‘em up with decisive action.”