Obama Backs Brits

ABC News’ Paul Fidalgo Reports: Responding to British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s decision to begin withdrawing his country’s troops from Iraq, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., took advantage of the announcement to reiterate his own plan to have U.S. troops home by March of 2008.

"Tony Blair’s announcement made it clear that one of our greatest allies recognize the fact that there is no military solution to this war," said Obama in a press statement.  "Just about everyone in the world understands this except the White House and a few of their friends running for President."

Obama added, "What’s worse is that 14,000 of our National Guard members are leaving for Iraq for the second time before they were supposed to, before they’re ready, and before they have the proper equipment to do the job they’re being sent for.  We shouldn’t be sending more troops to Iraq, we should be bringing them home."

Obama’s withdrawal plan includes a cap in troop levels followed by a phased redeployment beginning May 1, 2007, and emphasizes regional diplomacy, Congressional oversight, conditional economic assistance, and intensified training of Iraqi security forces.