US-Iraq deal won't spell out troop levels: White House

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The White House said Monday that a planned US-Iraq long-term strategic agreement will not include a specific date for a withdrawal of US combat troops.

"What it will not do is have any sort date tied to combat troops, like how many American troops would be in Iraq at X date. That would not be included," spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters.

But the pact is expected to include an "aspirational date" for Iraqis to take over security for all of the war-torn country's provinces, she said amid a confused back and forth between Baghdad and Washington on the issue.

~snip~

Asked whether US forces would have to leave if Iraq's government asked them to, Perino said US President George W. Bush has already said "we would do that" but underlined "nobody is talking about that."

"We share the goal of trying to bring more of our combat troops home and transitioning our mission into one where they could help the Iraqis and back them up," said Perino. "We are there because the Iraqis want us there."



Read more: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iG5GHuGb6kWgF1X55gW0L2ZbIRZw

[maddezmom]

1. U.S. says Iraq pact unlikely by July 31 deadline

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and Iraq were unlikely to meet a July 31 deadline for completing a long-term security pact, but intensive negotiations were under way on an agreement that will help dictate the role of U.S. forces after year-end, the White House said on Monday.

"I don't think that we'll be able to finalize this agreement by next Thursday, we're working towards it, but it might take a few more days after that," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

She said the agreement would include an "aspirational date" to transition the mission of American forces that have been in Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. There are currently 148,000 American troops in Iraq.

But Perino said the pact with Iraq would not set specific dates for specific levels of U.S. troops on the ground.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080721/pl_nm/iraq_usa_bush_dc;_ylt=An6qYSinnJ_mBrhu2Wq5EPka.3QA

[Deliphus]

2. Re: U.S. says Iraq pact unlikely by July 31 deadline

What? You mean Bush might fail at something?

Wonder how he'll squirm his way out of THIS one...

[quidam56]

3. Wonder how many more families will be destroyed by X date !

http://www.wisecountyissues.com