Big US presence in Iraq until mid-2009 -commander

[sabra]

Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD, July 30 (Reuters) - U.S. generals expect to need a large contingent of troops in Iraq until the middle of 2009, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq said on Monday.

...

Asked about media reports that Washington envisioned a substantial American force remaining in Iraq through mid-2009, General David Petraeus told ABC News: "Sustainable security is, in fact, what we hope to achieve.

"It's in our campaign plan. We do think it will take about that amount of time, as you discussed, to establish the conditions for it."

...

He told ABC he expected to complete his assessment in time, after which he would be able to announce when troops can start to come home.

"We do think by about that time, again, that I will have enough of a sense ... to determine at what point we can in fact begin to send forces home without replacements," Petraeus said.


Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/GRA044430.htm

[swag]

1. Four more Friedmans. Then it will time for one last shot at success.

[Yavin4]

2. Permanent War Will Destroy Us As A Nation

Which is exactly what the elites want. Nothing burns through money faster than a war. And as long as war rages on, there will be less and less money for everything else including SS and education.

[badgervan]

3. Notice His Actual Words

He doesn't say that sustainable security will be achieved; he does say that it will take four more FU's "to establish the conditions for it". Weasel words, much like his masters use constantly. This thing has been planned as a permanent mideast presence/occupation from the get-go. It is where the oil is.

[Az_lefty]

4. in other words, nothing's changing until bush is gone...

mid-2009 sounds about right.

[damntexdem]

5. I know what troops should be left in Iraq for years to come:

Betrayus and a few of the other high-ranking toadies. Bring the rest of the troops home.