Nader vs. Kerry on Iraq

Ralph Nader, the independent presidential hopeful, is calling for a three-point plan for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

Nader wants an international peacekeeping force under United Nations auspices, promotion of Iraqi self-rule through independent elections, and continuing humanitarian aid to stabilize the country.

The plan has a short fuse – just six months.

Nader asked reporters rhetorically, "How do you separate the mainstream Iraqis from the insurgents when the mainstream Iraqis now are increasingly opposed to our presence there and increasingly, quietly or otherwise, supporting the insurgents?

"The way you do it is you declare you are getting out."

Describing both President Bush and presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., as "pro-war candidates," Nader referred to himself as the "muscular peace candidate."

Both Bush and Kerry support keeping U.S. troops in Iraq to provide stability after the transfer of authority to an interim government on June 30.

Kerry favors an internationalized effort in Iraq, but said on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that he would support sending in more U.S. troops if necessary.

"Now, he's got to out-Bush Bush," said Nader.

Nader said that under his plan, the international peacekeeping force he wants would be drawn from neutral nations and Islamic countries. Nader added that the election process should be carried out at the same time as the six-month withdrawal and done under international supervision.

"The complicated culture of Iraq, the split between Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds makes consensus on a new government a challenge," said Nader. "But Iraq should be able to sort out these issues more easily without the military presence of a U.S. occupying force."

By withdrawing from Iraq, Nader argued, "You're getting the oil companies out. You're getting all the foreign businesses that are replacing the Iraqi businesses, the truck drivers in Iraq who are angry because they see foreigners driving trucks."

Nader, who ran for president as the Green Party nominee in 2000 and 1996, is now pushing to get on the ballot in 50 states as an independent in 2004.

His hard-core stance on Iraq is yet another issue that will insure his continued impact in the race and lessen the liklihood of his passing from the scene.

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