Clintons Announce Opposition to Iraq War

Breaking News from NewsMax.com

In twin moves that amount to a 180 degree reversal of their previous positions, former President Bill Clinton called the Iraq war yesterday "a big mistake," while his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, voted for a Democratic bill that would announce a timetable for U.S. withdrawal.

"Saddam is gone. It's a good thing, but I don't agree with what was done," Mr. Clinton told students at the American University of Dubai.

"It was a big mistake," he added, in quotes picked up by the Associated Press. "The American government made several errors, one of which is how easy it would be to get rid of Saddam and how hard it would be to unite the country."

Mr. Clinton had previously said that he supported the decision to remove Saddam Hussein, although he wished U.N. weapons inspectors had been given more time.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Clinton reversed herself on whether the U.S. should announce a timetable for a U.S. pullout, voting for an amendment proposed by Iraq war opponent, Sen. Russ Feingold.

The Feingold Amendment stipulates "estimated dates for the phased redeployment" of U.S. troops in Iraq. Sen. Feingold has set a target date for a complete U.S. withdrawal by Dec. 31, 2006.

Asked in February, however, whether she supported a timetable for withdrawal, Mrs. Clinton told NBC's "Meet the Press":

"At this point in time, I think that would be a mistake. I don't believe we should tie our hands or the hands of the new Iraqi government. Now obviously, as this government is stood up and takes responsibility, there may come a time when it decides for its own internal reasons that we should set such a deadline and withdrawal agenda. But right now I think it would be a mistake."