American President George W. Bush vowed Tuesday to veto a bill that ties Iraq war funds to a non-binding pullout deadline of April 1, 2008. Democrats, who took control of the US Congress, expected to send Bush the legislation by Monday but appeared to lack the votes to override his veto.
"Precipitous withdrawal from Iraq is not a plan to bring peace to the region or to make our people safer at home. Instead, it would embolden our enemies and confirm their belief that America is weak," said the US leader, according to AFP.
The US$124.2 billion bill calls for withdrawal of most US combat forces from Iraq beginning no later than October 1, 2007, with a non-binding goal for completing the pullout by April 1, 2008.
Under the bill, the pullout would start on July 1 if the Pentagon cannot certify Iraqi progress in disarming militias, curbing sectarian violence and resolving political differences between the various Iraqi factions.
Bush said he knew that the US public has "serious concerns" about the war, and that "people want our troops to come home, and so do I." But Bush warned against letting "politics and impatience" drive strategy and stressed: "No matter how frustrating the fight can be, and no matter how much we wish the war was over, the security of our country depends directly on the outcome in Iraq."
"Precipitous withdrawal from Iraq is not a plan to bring peace to the region or to make our people safer at home. Instead, it would embolden our enemies and confirm their belief that America is weak," said Bush.
"It could unleash chaos in Iraq that could spread across the entire region. It would be an invitation to the enemy to attack America and our friends around the world.
"And ultimately, a precipitous withdrawal would increase the probability that American troops would one day have to return to Iraq and confront an enemy that's even more dangerous," said the president.
"I'm disappointed that the Democratic leadership has chosen this course," he said. "They know I'm going to veto a bill containing these provisions, and they know that my veto will be sustained."
