As promised JCS scheduled to meet with Obama Wed to receive order to leave Iraq in 16 months [View All]

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Obama to meet with military commanders Wednesday on Iraq

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/18/obama-to-meet-with-military-commanders-wednesday-on-iraq/



WASHINGTON (CNN) – Incoming President Barack Obama is planning to meet with top military leaders on Wednesday to discuss the war in Iraq and move to begin implementing his campaign promise of removing all combat troops within 16 months, according to two transition officials familiar with the matter.

The meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other top military commanders is to be held on Obama's first full day in office, which suggests the president-elect wants to signal supporters that, despite his heavy focus on the financial crisis, he will address Iraq early in the new administration.

In an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" shortly after his election victory, Obama said he would move quickly to begin withdrawing troops.

"Well, I've said during the campaign, and I've stuck to this commitment, that as soon as I take office, I will call in the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, my national security apparatus, and we will start executing a plan that draws down our troops," Obama said. "Particularly in light of the problems that we're having in Afghanistan, which has continued to worsen. We've got to shore up those efforts."