Kissinger warns against early withdrawal from Iraq

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger today warned against an early withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq, saying such a move would bolster insurgents and terrorists.

“To argue that a collapse of the US in Iraq would not have consequences … is simply living in a dream world,” Kissinger said, speaking to reporters ahead of a lecture on Nato’s future.

He said he hoped that when a new government is elected in Iraq next month “a combination of legitimacy and training of troops of the Iraqi army will improve (the) security situation”.

Nevertheless, the 82-year-old Kissinger said that the upcoming US congressional elections would have an effect on the debate of how long US troops would remain in Iraq.

When asked about reports that the CIA had set up prison camps in Eastern Europe he said he was “not aware” of such camps.

Kissinger, who was secretary of state and national security adviser during the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, retains substantial influence in foreign affairs.