US Senate rejects plan to withdraw troops from Iraq

Washington, Mar 16: The Democrats suffered a setback when the US Senate, in which the party has a majority, rejected a party-sponsored resolution, calling for the pullout of American troops from Iraq by March 2008.

The Democratic-controlled Senate turned down the resolution by a 50 to 48 vote. By and large, the vote was along party lines. Only one Republican, Gordon Smith, voted in favor of the measure whereas two Democrats voted with the Republicans to defeat the proposal.

However, an identical measure passed through the US House of Representatives.

Republicans, who opposed the measure in the Senate, argued that such a provision would embolden the United States' enemies and allow lawmakers to ''micromanage'' the Iraq war.

The Senate is also considering a resolution by Republican Senator Judd Gregg that declares, ''Congress should not take any action that will endanger the US military forces in the field, including the elimination or reduction of funds for troops in the field.'' Democrats moved a nonbinding resolution, declaring that Congress and President George W Bush shall provide all ''necessary funds'' for the safety of American forces, both on the battlefield and when they return home.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who sponsored the resolution, said the President's plan in Iraq was not working. ''Iraq is in a state of chaos. There is literally no stability. The US troops are policing a civil war, a protracted civil war,'' he said.

Meanwhile, the House Appropriations Committee approved a measure calling for troops to be withdrawn no later than September 2008, along with 95 billion dollar more in funding for Iraq and Afghanistan.

UNI