Rummy: Not so fast, we aint goin nowhere . . .

[bigtree]

Rumsfeld Says Sources Wrong About Iraq Troop Reductions

June 22 2006

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Thursday that the commanding general in Iraq will recommend when to cut U.S. troop levels, in consultation with the nation's new government and other officials.

Speaking at a Pentagon news conference in Washington, D.C., Rumsfeld quashed earlier indications from military sources that Gen. George Casey was considering a gradual force reduction in Iraq.

The sources had told CNN that Casey was considering cuts that would amount to as many as two brigades - an estimated 6,000 to 10,000 troops. The United States has about 127,000 troops in Iraq.

"As the Iraqi forces continue to take over bases and provinces and areas of responsibility and move into the lead, we expect that General Casey will come back and make a recommendation after he's had those discussions," said Rumsfeld.

http://freeinternetpress.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=7318



You're just another joker

With one chance in hell

Of ever pullin' that trigger

Of ever feelin' too well



Yeah but you just might do it

Just to prove them all wrong

'Cause you ain't going nowhere

You just ride along, ride along, ride along

You just ride along, ride along, ride along

Git along git along git along

You just ride along, ride along, ride along

You just ride along, ride along, ride along

You just... Hiatt

[Gloria]

1. Much more detail about troops and equipment withdrawal in this article....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1485783&mesg_id=1485783



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060621/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_war_equipment

AP: U.S. military bringing equipment home

By RYAN LENZ, Associated Press Writer Wed Jun 21, 2:30 PM ET

(SNIP)

Four combat brigades, in Texas, Alaska and Colorado, were notified this week that they will deploy to Iraq late this year. The roughly 21,000 soldiers would replace troops heading home from Iraq, and do not signal a change.

(SNIP)

"It is much harder to move equipment than it is to move people," said Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute. "So if the Army is increasing its movement of equipment out of the country, that may signal that it expects fewer soldiers in Iraq six or 12 months from now."

U.S. military commanders in Iraq have refused to set a timetable for a complete withdrawal of coalition troops, saying such a drawdown would be based on ground conditions.

O'Connor said the exodus of American rubber and steel from Iraq is scheduled to continue into the fall. Equipment headed back to the United States includes armored vehicles used by soldiers on patrols as well as many unarmored vehicles typically used inside the boundaries of secure U.S. military posts.


SNIP

Under a plan announced by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Iraqi security forces will take responsibility for security in all of the country's 18 provinces within 18 months.

"With the talk of getting home by '08, we're leaning forward and trying to get all of that stuff out," O'Connor said. "We've got to rebuild an Army that's at war, and then make it ready for the next war. Clearly there are some challenges."

MORE

[bigtree]

2. they JUST announced a call-up of 21,000 troops

at BEST that would represent a reduction of about 10,000 troops by the end of the year, IF they follow through. Rumsfeld just put even the numbers that Casey talked about in serious question.

The shipping back of old, damaged equipment could mean theyre getting ready for new weaponry.



"Combined with last November's announcement of 92,000 American service members scheduled to go to Iraq in the 2006-2008 rotation, this would bring the total U.S. troop level to about 113,000 for that period. That is less than the approximately 138,000 average troop level for the past year, but more than military officials' goal of less than 100,000 by the end of the year.

There are about 127,000 U.S. troops in Iraq.

Not all of the units in the first 92,000 have gone to Iraq yet. A Germany-based Army brigade's travel to Iraq was put on hold just last month _ triggering talk that a U.S. troop cut might be in the offing. They are now scheduled to go this summer. And a Fort Lewis, Wash., brigade began shipping equipment to Iraq this month and the soldiers are expect to follow soon.

The moves suggest that U.S. commanders are sticking largely to their original troop rotation plan for this year, leaving unclear when and if a sizable reduction in U.S. troop levels will begin."

http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5057080


my 2 cents: Escalation Masquerade (6-13-2006)