Key senator launches bid for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq

The next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Monday called on Congress to pass a bipartisan resolution supporting a phased redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq within four to six months to force the Iraqis to come up with a political solution to the crisis in their country.

Armed Services ranking member Carl Levin, D-Mich., who takes over the panel in January, expressed confidence that a majority of lawmakers would pass the nonbinding resolution soon after the next Congress convenes in January, sending a strong message to President Bush that he could not ignore. Levin did not offer details regarding how many troops would be withdrawn and where they would be redeployed.

"I think the important issue here is that a message go to the Iraqis from the president that unlimited and open-ended commitment is over, and that you're going to have to take responsibility and that we're going to begin to redeploy some forces from Iraq in four to six months," Levin told reporters. "That is such a strong message that I think you don't need to put the specifics as to the pace or how many troops would be left there at the end of redeployment."

He added, "That would have such an impact on the Iraqis, I think focusing their mind and forcing them to recognize their responsibility to put their nation together and make the political concessions to each other."

Levin said Iraq is in "a low-grade civil war" and "going into an abyss." He said he was not prepared to say what other options the Democratic-controlled Congress might consider with regard to Iraq if the resolution is not supported.

But he said he believes enough Republicans will support the resolution, based on conversations he has had with several key GOP lawmakers, whom he did not identify. He also said he believes he would have the support of Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., who is slated to become the committee's ranking member in the next Congress.

A call to McCain's office for comment was not immediately returned. Levin said he wants to see the results of two reviews of U.S. policy and military operations in Iraq before drafting the resolution. The Iraq Study Group, led by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Ind., is expected to complete its review in December. Another review is being conducted by top military and defense leaders.

Levin said he also still has to consult with current and new members of his committee.

Looking ahead to other issues, Levin said he is not opposed to the nomination of Robert Gates to be the next Defense secretary. But he said he wants to be sure that Gates will be independent and "speak truth to power" and not cater intelligence to fit policy. Levin said he also believes lawmakers would act during the lame-duck session to extend the appointment of Stuart Bowen as the U.S. special inspector general for Iraq.

The Senate Armed Services Committee also plans a hearing this week with the top military commander in Iraq, Gen. John Abizaid, and CIA Director Michael Hayden. Levin said he hoped to hear the two express a willingness "to change the course" in Iraq.