Eight killed in Baghdad blasts as US raises alarm over troop shortage

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040424/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_worldwrap&cid=1514&ncid=1480

BAGHDAD (AFP) - At least eight Iraqis were killed in explosions in Baghdad's Sadr City neighbourhood as violence again took centre stage following the deaths of two more US soldiers at the hands of insurgents and four police in a car bombing. snip

The Pentagon (news - web sites) has already extended by 90 days the tours of 20,000 soldiers in Iraq and offered to find new troops to keep the deployment at 135,000, if the military deems it necessary.

"If the situation stays about like it is, I will certainly ask that those forces be replaced," Abizaid was quoted as saying. "We're going to make sure we have the right forces in place to do the job that needs to be done."

His comments come hard on the heels of Powell's appeal Friday for several nations with troops in Iraq to consider sending more soldiers or extending the stays of those already there beyond June 30.

more

[ClintonTyree]

1. Powell.............

has NO chance of convincing these countries to add more or reatin present troop levels. They're smarter than our Chimp in Chief and recognize a losing situation. There's a point of diminishing returns in Iraq for these countries, and they've already reached it.

[Scooter24]

2. I concur.

It seems as this war is quickly losing its focus.

[opihimoimoi]

3. Hey, Welcome Aboard Scooter, A Big Welcome to DU

:hi:

[Moderator]

4. duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=507309