Iraq to US: Go Ahead, 'Cut and Run'. Please.

CAIRO, Egypt -- Reaching out to the Sunni Arab community, Iraqi leaders called for a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces and said Iraq's opposition had a "legitimate right" of resistance.

The communique — finalized by Shiite, Kurdish and Sunni leaders Monday — condemned terrorism but was a clear acknowledgment of the Sunni position that insurgents should not be labeled as terrorists if their operations do not target innocent civilians or institutions designed to provide for the welfare of Iraqi citizens.

The leaders agreed on "calling for the withdrawal of foreign troops according to a timetable, through putting in place an immediate national program to rebuild the armed forces ... control the borders and the security situation" and end terror attacks.

The preparatory reconciliation conference, held under the auspices of the Arab League, was attended by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Iraqi Shiite and Kurdish lawmakers as well as leading Sunni politicians.

Read that again carefully. Did you catch that bit about legitimate right of resistance, and people who attack American forces not being terrorists? I think that's our cue to leave. The Iraqi leadership has "gone to get our coats".

I'm waiting for Jean Schmidt to call Jalal Talabani a coward, and for W. to accuse the Iraqi leaders of emboldening the enemy. Don't they know that the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq would have "disastrous consequences" for American security?

And people say there's been no progress in Iraq. Remember the heady days of May 2004?

US-led coalition forces would leave Iraq if a new interim government should ask them to, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said yesterday, but such a request is unlikely.