US commander in Iraq still pining to stay past exit date

[bigtree]

Gen. Odierno is confident he has leeway until May (with the president) to reconsider exit date if he decides to linger longer


from Raw Story: http://rawstory.com/2009/11/top-officer-warns-august-2010-pullout-delayed-iraqs-security-situation-deteriorates/


Odierno: We have until May to reconsider Iraq drawdown plan

BAGHDAD —

General Ray Odierno told reporters in Baghdad that although all American combat troops are due to pull out by August 2010, the plan could change between now and May if the security situation deteriorates.

{snip}

Christopher Hill, the US ambassador to Baghdad, has previously warned that any hold-up over the election timeline could conceivably alter Washington's plans to have all combat troops out of Iraq by next August.

Odierno, however, said the deadline, set by President Barack Obama earlier this year remained flexible depending on the security situation.

He said he had up until April or May next year "if we have to defer from the August 31 date that the president has set."

"I feel very confident that we don't have to make any decision until late spring," General Ray Odierno told reporters.

"Right now I believe that we can meet that date but again if I had to (ask Washington for a delay) I would."


read: http://rawstory.com/2009/11/top-officer-warns-august-2010-pullout-delayed-iraqs-security-situation-deteriorates/

[Vincardog]

1. WAnt to bet that the "deferment" can only go one way? Hands up everyone who thinks they will leave

early if the situation improves.

[bigtree]

2. well, there is the CIC at the head of that decision

. . . and I'm betting he's looking at a reduced force in Iraq to supplement troops in some way (escalation or rotation) in Afghanistan.

Btw, the Joint Chiefs say that without changing dwell time there are only about 11,000 to 14,000 'ready' troops for Afghanistan.