Obama: U.S. must end "single-minded" focus on Iraq

By Caren Bohan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Tuesday a "single-minded" focus on Iraq was distracting the United States from other threats and he renewed his vow to end the war.

"This war diminishes our security, our standing in the world, our military, our economy, and the resources that we need to confront the challenges of the 21st century," Obama said in excerpts of a speech to be delivered later on Tuesday.

"By any measure, our single-minded and open-ended focus on Iraq is not a sound strategy for keeping America safe," he said.

Obama, who has been accused by his Republican rival John McCain of shifting positions on Iraq, is seeking to lay out his views on the war ahead of a planned trip to Afghanistan and Iraq soon.

Dates of the trip have not been disclosed for security reasons.

The Democratic candidate's critics have suggested he was wavering on the 16-month timetable he laid out for the withdrawal of U.S. troops because of his recent comment that he might "refine" his policies on Iraq based on consultations with military commanders.

But Obama has emphasized that while he is open to tactical adjustments, the 16-month timetable for withdrawal remains his goal.

"This war distracts us from every threat that we face and so many opportunities we could seize," the speech excerpts said. "Instead of being distracted from the most pressing threats that we face, I want to overcome them."

The future of Iraq promises to be a central issue in the November election battle for the White House between McCain, an Arizona senator, and Obama, an Illinois senator.

SECOND TRIP TO IRAQ

McCain criticized Obama for delivering a speech on Iraq before traveling there.

Obama's visit to Iraq, where he has only been once, in 2006, and Afghanistan follows repeated criticism from McCain that he should visit the area and talk to commanders.

"Sen. Obama is departing soon on a trip abroad that will include a fact-finding mission to Iraq and Afghanistan," McCain said in written excerpts of comments he will deliver later on Tuesday in New Mexico.

"And I note that he is speaking today about his plans for Iraq and Afghanistan before he has even left," McCain said.

"In my experience, fact-finding missions usually work best the other way around: first you assess the facts on the ground, then you present a new strategy," he added.