Generals Differ on the Timing of Troop Cuts

[brooklynite]

Source: The New York Times

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 — As the Bush administration mulls options for withdrawing forces in Iraq, fault lines are beginning to emerge in a debate between commanders in the field who favor slow reductions and senior generals at the Pentagon who favor cutting the number of combat troops more deeply.

Among others, Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the Army chief of staff, are said to be leaning toward a recommendation that steep reductions by the end of 2008, perhaps to half of the 20 combat brigades now in Iraq, should be the administration’s goal.

Such a drawdown would be deeper and faster than Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, is expected to recommend next month, administration officials said.

“If you’re out in Baghdad you might have a different priority for where you want the troops,” an administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the White House has not authorized public remarks on the options being considered.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/25/washington/25policy.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1188015165-wuPaWilaThIxk+QCYEZnCA

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Perhaps this will be the new hold-up in September? We can't take action until the Generals decide what they want to do?

[rodeodance]

1. well folks---think about this--The GENERALS are actually talking of downsizing!