U.S. unlikely to reduce Iraq troops soon -general

[sabra]

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N21467488.htm

U.S. unlikely to reduce Iraq troops soon -general
21 Jun 2005 14:38:11 GMT

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, June 21 (Reuters) - The United States is unlikely to begin reducing its 135,000 troops in Iraq in the coming months, in the face of attacks by a deadly insurgency there, a senior U.S. military commander said on Tuesday.

"At this point, I would not be prepared to recommend a draw-down prior to the election, certainly not any significant numbers," Army Lt. Gen. John Vines, commander of coalition forces in Iraq, told Pentagon reporters in a teleconference from Iraq.

But Vines said significant reductions could begin early next year following a referendum on a planned constitution this October and a subsequent national election on a new Iraqi government in December.

More than 1,720 U.S. troops have died in the Iraq war, and the U.S. Army has fallen far behind in its recruiting, with potential recruits and their families wary of volunteering in wartime.

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[hadrons]

1. big surprise ....

remember a few months ago those 'US may REDUCE troops soon' ... so many gullible people still believe those fools

[acmavm]

2. No shit Sherlock? Like we need this guy to tell us this. Even though

we're turned the corner, making progress, things are going well, etc.

[bluestateguy]

3. The Republicans Ace in the Hole

If the midterms are looking bad for them next year then Bush will make this big triumphant announcement in October of '06 that we are winning in Iraq and that large numbers of troops will start coming home early in 2007.

That might be enough to preserve working majorities in both houses of Congress, and then there will be a new "development" which will prevent the troops from coming home.

[wtmusic]

4. But Wes Clark said...but...but...

:D

[Javaman]

5. With a war with Iran on the horizon, of course they are going to stay

[AndyTiedye]

6. Gotta Make it So They "Have To" Start up the DRAFT

and once that is in place, they'll attack Iran and Syria and....

[DrZeeLit]

7. Let's start a Pool -- who will be the first REPUB to say "draft"?

We know Biden has said it, and others on this side of the aisle, for various reasons.... BUT just who, on their side of the split, will say the "D" word for real?

Mmmm, a tantalizing proposition.

Maybe it's a way for DU to make some money?

Date/Name ??