Hillary Clinton: U.S. will still stand by Iraq

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan - The United States will continue to support Iraq as it moves toward democracy, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Saturday as she wrapped up a week-long overseas trip.

Without mentioning Iran by name, Clinton warned Iraq's neighbors against meddling and said the U.S. and Iraq would remain close allies.

"As we open this new chapter in a relationship with sovereign Iraq, to the Iraqis we say: America is with you as you take your next steps in your journey to secure your democracy," she said.

"And to countries in the region, especially Iraq's neighbors, we want to emphasize that America will stand with our allies and friends, including Iraq, in defense of our common security and interests."

She said the United States would have a "robust, continuing presence throughout the region, which is proof of our ongoing commitment to Iraq and to the future of that region."

U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday declared the more than eight-year Iraq war will be over by the end of the year and said that virtually all U.S. troops will be brought home. Some 200 troops will remain to provide security at the U.S. Embassy and other offices.

Critics of the president warn that by withdrawing its troops, the U.S. is giving Iran an opening to increase its influence in Iraq.

Clinton is due back in Washington on Sunday following stops in North Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

[newseer]

The warmongers (Cheney & McCain included) got us into the war with Irak. The Republican administration pushed the war by using the excuse that they had weapons of mass destruction, when the experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency had determined the non-existence of such weapons. Trying to justify our presence there, we went after Hussein and we got rid of him. That was more than enough, and we do not have to babysit them and pay for it after thousands of Americans were killed or injured, and a trillion million dollars spent. Our departure is long overdue, and Obama's courageous decision deserves the highest praises. Using another excuse by the usual warmongers that Iran will benefit from our departure is outrageous. In Lybia, Obama made the best decision by involving NATO, which we failed to do in Irak. Let's quit policing the entire world, and concentrate our resources (human and financial) in solving our pressing problems.

[boochaka]

I think it's time we took care of USA citizens first instead of taking away our benefit money and leaving us with nothing to fall back on. After all we paid into the system to help us in emergencies and as we aged or got hurt on the job and couldn't work anymore. Look how many billions we've given Iraq that they can't even account for. It irritates me that I lose services I payed for all my working life helping some country that hates us, that burns our flags, and that doesn't rebuild with the money we help them with, and they don't even know where it went, and all the while my eye glasses coverage was taken from me, as was my dental coverage, all by people who will get their coverage paid for the rest of their lives and not have to worry about it like the rest of us!

[EstherHaman]

These politicians must live in a fantasy world. We invade Iraq saying we are looking for WMD that never was their, killed tons of them, tortured their husband and sons in ABUGHRAIB and let members of the Black Water to use their kids for target practicing?! Now we have the audacity to say they are our allies. The Iraqis must be relieved now. As if the Iraqis just woke up and forgot about all that?!! When did we get to like the Muslims or the Iraqis?! When we first installed Saddam Hussein to rule them and to do to them as he pleased?! we did less to the Iranians see where that got us.!

We let the Zionists to invade the Palestinian and the Muslim lands, save the Zionist behind in UN security council NO matter what atrocities they commit (killing a dozen unarmed peace activist on a flotilla on the international waters, or the "Goldstone" report by the UN etc.) and we give them A-bombs without any condition etc. BUT, we expect the Muslims to love us and to respect us or to cooperate with us!!

Get real.

[SusanMassachusetts]

As IF there is ANY chance on Earth that the USA would leave anyplace once it gets its foot in the door. Of course we aren't leaving, even if they beg us to, we are staying put. We will argue that we are doing it to help them, but everyone knows, it is so we are close to the oil, the arabs, and all of our money.

Stretched too thin and you know what happens.....SnAP!

[mecanik-2009]

Doesn't that woman ever shut up.

[timchi1956]

Does Clinton and Obama ever talk to each other? It's not like Obama has the best reputation any where right now so for him to be saying one thing on Friday and Clinton saying something else on Saturday makes them both look incompetent. It makes America look weak. 2012 cannot get here fast enough so we the people can send the Obama Troops in the White House home. Sadly the Obama troops will not receive a ticker tape parade or any fan fare. Instead they will hear screams of joy and happiness as they walk out of the White House for the last time. Obama will be a "Once upon a time president" Once being the operative word. He will be joining the other one termers on the loser line.

[New-day]

This invasion and occupation will not be over until it is paid for. Iraqi veterans, some of them, will pay a huge price in disability and mental problems for the rest of their lives. Thousands will suffer. The Iraqi's will suffer similar effects. The costs will run in the trillions. And what have we gained? The war was done for oil and Israel. Oil companies gained access to contracts and Israel has fewer worries about Iraq. The American people paid and others mostly benefited. The whole thing was a lie.

[boochaka]

Geez, Hillary Clinton says the USA will stand by Libya, and Hillary Clinton says the USA will stand by Iraq, so when will the USA stand by it's disabled citizens who've paid into the system all their working lives instead of continually having parts of their medical coverage taken away?? When will American's come first over those who hate us anyway and can't account for the support we've given them in the first place?

[kevjustice]

there are billions for wars of choice but not enough $ for social security. politicians want to raise the age for ss. how high? 67...then....70...then 75....how about 90!

[Ole76er]

And what will this continued involvement in their business cost us in the way of dollars? We've already dumped over $700 billion into that sewer, how much more must we borrow and give them before someone says enough is enough - STOP?

[robe59]

Gee--I'm glad the U.S. will, because I sure as hell won't!