Pentagon May Weigh Iraq Troop Reduction

[jefferson_dem]

Pentagon May Weigh Iraq Troop Reduction

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A security assessment shortly after Iraq's Dec. 15 elections could include a recommendation that the U.S. reduce its troop strength in that country below 138,000, the Pentagon said Monday.

Lawrence Di Rita, a spokesman for Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, told reporters that the U.S. force could shrink fairly quickly, after Thursday's parliamentary elections, to what had been a baseline figure of 138,000 before an extra 22,000 or so troops were added to deal with heightened violence leading up to Iraq's parliamentary election.

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Di Rita said he was not sure how long it would take to return to the 138,000 level, but the question in the meantime will be whether Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, will recommend to Rumsfeld a timetable for going below 138,000.

Rumsfeld said last week that such additional cuts were possible, and other administration officials have made clear that they hope and expect to further reduce U.S. troop levels.

"As we've said, it's based on conditions, and one of the important conditions was this election, which will be the latest in a series of political developments," Di Rita said, adding that it was "very possible" that Casey would submit his assessment of the situation before the end of the month. That may include recommendations on troop levels, he said, although it is possible that Casey may say he needs more time on that question.

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ_US_MILITARY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-12-12-11-54-21

[grytpype]

1. Dubya is running for the exits.

All that talk about staying the course forever was 100% bullshit.