WASHINGTON, D.C, D.C., March 20 (UPI) -- Means must be found to end U.S. combat role in Iraq, reduce troop levels, rebuild the military and reclaim a leadership position, said a former Carter aide.
"The Iraq plan approved by the House Appropriations Committee last week provides what has been lacking: a means to hold the Iraqi government accountable for its performance by conditioning U.S. support to the meeting of benchmarks already endorsed by President Bush and Iraqi leaders," said Zbigniew Brzezinski, former national security advisor to President Jimmy Carter.
"Despite President Bush's request that our assistance to Iraq continue to be given with 'no strings attached,' the United States cannot afford an open-ended commitment to a war without end," said Brzezinski.
"After four years of war, it is clear that a different approach is needed if the Iraqis are to be encouraged to make the political accommodations necessary to promote stability and national reconciliation," said the former Carter aide.
The former security advisor also showed his disappointment of way the Iraqi war is being handled.
"Despite President Bush's request that our assistance to Iraq continue to be given with 'no strings attached,' the United States cannot afford an open-ended commitment to a war without end. A means must be devised to end the U.S. combat role in Iraq and reduce our troop levels, so that we can begin to rebuild our military and reclaim our position of leadership in the world," said Brzezinski.
