Obama seeks responsible pull-out- Crocker

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker on Wednesday said that U.S. President Barack Obama is seeking a responsible withdrawal of his country’s combat troops from Iraq. “The withdrawal of U.S. troops has already begun and we will follow up on the issue of military bases. The United States is not interested in maintaining bases in Iraq. We don’t want them, neither does the Iraqi people,” Crocker, who ended his term in office, said in an interview with the al-Arabiya TV channel. The U.S. envoy noted that the current U.S. bases in Iraq will eventually be handed over to the Iraqis. “U.S. President Barack Obama said that he wants a responsible withdrawal from Iraq,” Crocker added. SS (P)/SR 1