Story has gotten lost today: US troops to be in Iraq till spring 07

[rodeodance]

posted earlier on DU

Tue Sep-19-06 04:19 PM
Response to Original message
13. Gen. says U.S. may boost forces in Iraq
By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. military will likely maintain or possibly even increase the current force levels of more than 140,000 troops in Iraq through next spring, the top US. commander in the Middle East said Tuesday in one of the gloomiest assessments yet of how quickly American forces can be brought home.
Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. Central Command, said military leaders would consider adding troops or extending the Iraq deployments of other units if needed.

"If it's necessary to do that because the military situation on the ground requires that, we'll do it," he said. "If we have to call in more forces because it's our military judgment that we need more forces, we'll do it."

Abizaid said that right now the current number of troops "are prudent force levels" that are achieving the needed military effect.
His comments came as U.S. political leaders continue to face declining public support for the war in Iraq, as they head into the coming congressional elections. Abizaid, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Peter Pace are expected to meet with members of Congress later this week. >>>snip

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_IRAQ?SITE=FLS...


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2518701

Tue Sep-19-06 09:14 AM
Original message
US general sees no troop cut in Iraq before spring

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N19378780.htm

US general sees no troop cut in Iraq before spring

WASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - The general who oversees the Iraq war said on Tuesday he did not expect any reductions in the size of the U.S. force until at least the end of spring 2007, as American troops try to prevent Iraq from falling into civil war.

Army Gen. John Abizaid, head of U.S. Central Command, said he had expected U.S. troop levels to be lower than the current 147,000 -- the highest in Iraq since early January.

"I think that this level will probably have to be sustained through the spring, and then we'll reevaluate," Abizaid told reporters.

"I think these are prudent force levels. I think they're achieving the military effect," Abizaid said, without ruling out the possibility of even more troops.

[NOLADEM]

1. This ain't news

Bush has already said they will be there for the next prez to fix.

In Bush's world, Iraq is a forward operating base from which to attack Syria and Iran.

[Swede Atlanta]

2. Bingo

Shrub and company, aka PNAC, see Iraq as their GITMO, their Subic Bay, their Okinawa, to keep for decades from which to launch terrorism against the rest of the Middle East. Bush and his ilk are the real terrorists and should be prosecuted under American law.

[rodeodance]

3. all along Gens. have talked about progress on the ground but NOT in

these stories. not at all. They admit without saying that things are NOT going well.

Most generals have thought to withdraw some at end of this year, yet here they even talk of an INcrease.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

4. 2007?

I got a bridge to sell anyone who thinks we'll be out by 2007....or 2008......maybe even longer.