US presidential candidates mark Iraq war anniversary
(Adds Obama on withdrawing troops)
March 19 (Reuters) - U.S. presidential candidates on Wednesday marked the fifth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Here are some of the comments they made about the war that many Americans now believe was not worth waging:
* Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton told an audience of supporters in Detroit that the United States could start withdrawing troops within 60 days of her taking office and that it was up to the Iraqis to take responsibility for their country's future.
"We cannot win their civil war. There is no military solution," Clinton said.
* Democratic candidate Barack Obama said if elected he would immediately begin withdrawing troops in a process that could last 16 months, leaving only forces to guard the U.S. embassy and "a counter-terrorism force to strike al Qaeda if it forms a base that the Iraqis cannot destroy."
In a speech in North Carolina, he criticized Clinton, for voting for the Senate 2002 resolution that authorized President George W. Bush to take military action in Iraq. "Ask yourself: who do you trust to end a war -- someone who opposed the war from the beginning, or someone who started opposing it when they started preparing a run for president?"
* Republican candidate John McCain, who visited Iraq this week, said in a statement that "America and our allies stand on the precipice of winning a major victory against radical Islamic extremism.
"The security gains over the past year have been dramatic and undeniable. ... Americans should be proud that they led the way in removing a vicious, predatory dictator and opening the possibility of a free and stable Iraq." (Compiled by Donna Smith; Editing by Bill Trott and David Storey)
