| Us plan to end occupation in iraq Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/story.jsp?floc=NW_1-T&oldflok=FF-APO-1107&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20031116%2F062529235.htm&sc=1107&photoid=20031114WAS04Dhttp://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/story.jsp?floc=NW_1-T&oldflok=FF-APO-1107&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20031116%2F062529235.htm&sc=1107&photoid=20031114WAS04D
U.S. Eyes Plan to End Occupation in Iraq
WASHINGTON (AP) - In the face of continuing violence and a mounting death toll of American troops, the Bush administration says the United States won't spend years as an occupier in Iraq and plans to quickly cede power to a new government.
As the number of Americans killed in Iraq passed the 400 mark on Saturday, the Iraqi Governing Council endorsed a White House proposal to form a provisional government by June. The transfer of power would provide President Bush a strategy to pull out U.S. troops as guerrilla warfare escalates.
Word of the new plan came on a day that two Black Hawk helicopters collided and crashed, possibly the result of enemy groundfire. The military says 17 American soldiers died, making the incident the worst single loss of life since Bush ordered the U.S.-led invasion to overthrow Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
``We did the Iraqi people a great favor by removing him, and so I wouldn't be surprised that any kind of violence is promoted by him, but I don't know,'' Bush said in an interview with David Frost for PBS-BBC's ``Breakfast with David Frost.''
Bush said the United States will not spend ``years and years'' in Iraq as a new government takes shape.
The president defended his administration's planning for postwar Iraq, saying it's ``not a fair comment'' that the United States was unprepared for winning the peace.
``This is nothing more than a power grab,'' he said about the recent violence. ``There are some foreign fighters - mujaheddin types or al-Qaida, or al-Qaida affiliates involved, as well.''
With the return of sovereignty in June, the U.S. military occupation will formally end. American forces, however, will likely remain in Iraq for some time.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who is currently on a tour of Asia, said U.S. troops will not withdraw anytime soon.
11/16/03 06:25
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