WASHINGTON, July 8: The New York Times on Sunday called for US troops to leave Iraq now, writing that President George W. Bush's plan to stabilize the country through military means is a lost cause.

“It is time for the United States to leave Iraq, without any more delay than the Pentagon needs to organise an orderly exit,” the influential daily wrote in a rare, single-issue editorial taking up one-half of an entire news page.

“Like many Americans, we have put off that conclusion, waiting for a sign that President Bush was seriously trying to dig the United States out of the disaster he created by invading Iraq without sufficient cause, in the face of global opposition, and without a plan to stabilise the country afterward.

It has since emerged, the Times concluded, that Bush has “neither the vision nor the means to do that.” “It is frighteningly clear that Mr Bush's plan is to stay the course as long as he is president and dump the mess on his successor. Whatever his cause was, it is lost,” the daily opined.

The Times editorial went on: “Continuing to sacrifice the lives and limbs of American soldiers is wrong. The war is sapping the strength of the nation's alliances and its military forces.

“It is a dangerous diversion from the life-and-death struggle against terrorists. It is an increasing burden on American taxpayers, and it is a betrayal of a world that needs the wise application of American power and principles.” The editorial by the influential newspaper — the latest sign of increasing public restiveness on Iraq — comes as a growing number of Bush’s formerly loyal Republican backers on the Iraq question have defected and begun calling for US troop withdrawal.

The Times conceded that, as violent at Iraq is, the situation there might turn even deadlier after a withdrawal of US forces.

“Americans must be clear that Iraq, and the region around it, could be even bloodier and more chaotic after Americans leave.” Still the Times, wrote, “Americans must be equally honest about the fact that keeping troops in Iraq will only make things worse.

“The nation needs a serious discussion, now, about how to accomplish a withdrawal and meet some of the big challenges that will arise.”—AFP