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Putin calls for Iraq troop pullout
timetable

By AFP

08/18/05 “AFP” — — Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a
timetable for the withdrawal of foreign military forces from Iraq.

“We deem it necessary to work out a schedule for the staged withdrawal of
foreign troops” in Iraq, Putin told reporters following talks with Jordan’s
King Abdullah II.

“Many Iraqis perceive these forces as occupying forces, and this is a
reality that should be taken into account,” the Russian leader said Thursday.

Putin also suggested an international conference on Iraq to be held by
year’s end.

“We consider that holding that holding an international conference this
year would give a new impulse to the normalization of the situation” in Iraq,
the Russian leader told reporters.

Copyright © 2005 Agence France Presse.

Putin is not a good one to upset right now considering the growing ties
between Russia and China.