US Iraq commander loses cool over troop numbers

[cal04]

Source: Reuters

Tuesday was a day of celebration in Iraq as U.S. forces handed control of the cities to Iraqi authorities, but the top U.S. commander was less than joyous when pressed on how many of his troops would remain.

Speaking via satellite from Baghdad, U.S. Army General Ray Odierno lost his cool at a briefing for Pentagon reporters when he was repeatedly questioned about the number of U.S. troops that would remain in the cities as advisers to Iraqi forces.

Asked why he could not give a figure, he became visibly irritated, raised his voice and replied: "Because it would be inaccurate! Because I don't know exactly how many are in the cities. It varies day-to-day based on the mission."

Pressed to give a rough figure, he snapped: "How many times you want me to say that? I don't know."

Odierno, one of the most formidable figures in the U.S. military, apologized for his outburst at the end of the briefing.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N30262848.htm

[timeforpeace]

1. He doesn't seem happy with his assignment, does he?

[Tempest]

2. This means only one thing

That there's a lot more troops being left behind in the cities than the Iraqi and American public were told there would be.

[bvar22]

3. Thats how I read it too.

There are going to be a lot more US Troops left in Iraq indefinitely that anyone in the White House cares to admit....and THAT doesn't include the Mercenaries (Private Security Contractors).

[Lasher]

4. Truth about this will come out.

Now that all the US soldiers have been withdrawn from the cities, it will be hard to explain why they continue to be killed in them.

[Political Heretic]

5. Just means there's lots.

[Javaman]

6. This guy knows the numbers.

the one thing you can bet your life on in the military is numbers. Everything is done in triplicate, planned to within an inch of its life and over manned desk jobs.

he knows full well what the numbers are, why? because that is his job.

so him saying he doesn't know is total and complete bullshit.

He won't say because someone higher up the food chain doesn't want to release those numbers to the press for a variety of reasons.
1) being that they feel that whom ever they claim this week is attacking them will cause them to attack more because of reduced numbers or 2) if they numbers haven't changed, then Obama gets the heat or 3) if the numbers have increased, then the army talking head gets a ration of shit from the press, Obama gets a ration of shit from the press and anything that is ready to get passed in congress would suddenly encounter trouble.

and when I say "press" I mean on line reporters. (the ones that actually report the news)

[Solly Mack]

7. I read that in a video-conference with the Pentagon channel that

Odierno said that between 115K and 120K are expected to be in Iraq in January 2010 (Iraqi elections)

Also, regardless of the number that is finally given out, the fact remains that the DoD NEVER - EVER - gives out the actual number. It's a matter of OPSEC.