U.S. troops to stay in Iraq despite 'progress'

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N21146165.htm

WASHINGTON, June 21 (Reuters) - Despite reported successes against the insurgency in Iraq, a top U.S. military commander said on Tuesday the United States was unlikely to reduce its 135,000 troops there before elections late this year.

"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 reporters.

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.

Vines spoke a day after U.S. President George W. Bush acknowledged the Iraq war was "tough" going. But Bush refused to back down from assertions that progress was being made.

[Kipling]

1. My predictions:

December 05: Iraqis elect shiite extremists. Full blown civil war breaks out, government vs insurgency. US casulties soar.
2006: Republicans do poorly in elections. Bush decides (because Dicky tells him) to invade somewhere else to keep up the patriotism.
2006, winter: Israel attacks Iran. Bush joins in.
2006, spring: Bush introduces draft and new uber-draconian measures. Blair and Howard, and possibly a new German leader, join in enthusiastically.
2007: War in Iran going badly. Afghanistan has a civil war too. Bush gets the message, scratches his head, thinks of ways to get everything under control. Holds long discussions with other world leaders on how to remedy the situation and bring balance and peace to the world community.
2007, two days later: Bush invades North Korea. Seoul nuked. Thousands die. 08 Election called off to "stablise USA". Welfare schemes are removed to fund war: churches are encouraged to take up the slack by allowing them free advertising on TV and billboards. Blair and Howard taking notes.

I need coffee.

[uppityperson]

3. You need something stronger than coffee.

[sniffa]

2. despite the propaganda.....

freedom is stiLL on the march.

[Cocoa]

4. I bet people are getting seriously sick of this shit

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.

How many times have we heard this? :mad: