Crocker wants 'honest discussion' on Iraq

WASHINGTON, March 31 (UPI) -- Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, said the United States needs to consider the consequences before it develops an effective exit strategy from Iraq.

Crocker, in an interview with WTOP-FM in Washington, said there needed to be "an honest discussion" about the scenario in Iraq following a withdraw of U.S. military forces.

The long-term strategy involving the military engagement in Iraq plays into any assessment of the commitment there, the ambassador said.

"If we decide we don't want to do it anymore, we don't want to maintain the level of engagement that we've got now. We have to look in a very sober way at what the consequences of that could be," Crocker said.

Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner, a U.S. military spokesman, said it was imperative that the U.S. commitment in Iraq focused on ensuring Iraqi security forces can maintain a sense of law and order independent of the United States.

On that note, U.S. officials praised the Iraqi government for its resolve in standing up to Shiite militants in Basra and Baghdad, calling it a sign of the ability of the government there to move the country forward.

But Crocker noted challenges remain for the Iraqi government and the U.S. officials there, saying Iraq needed to stand on its own.