California pushes Iraq war vote

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6729117.stm

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Lawmakers in the US state of California have passed a bill that would offer the state's voters an opportunity to call for a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

The bill was passed by California's Democrat-controlled Senate but it also needs approval from the state assembly.

The Republican Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, must give his approval.

The measure could be added to the state's presidential primary ballot next February. Americans will elect a new president in November 2008.

Focusing attention

The bill is designed to put a measure on the ballot paper urging President George W Bush to immediately begin a safe and orderly withdrawal of United States forces from Iraq.

In order for it to go ahead, the bill still requires a majority of votes in the state assembly, which is also run by the Democrats.

A spokesman for the governor said Mr Schwarzenegger had not taken a position on the bill but that he supported a timeline for withdrawal, while at the same time maintaining the US must be victorious.

The ballot measure also urges the president and the US Congress to provide the necessary diplomatic and non-military assistance to promote peace and stability in Iraq and the Middle East.

California is America's most populous state and with the primary ballot coming so early in the presidential campaign, such a measure is bound to focus attention on an issue which still dominates American politics.