Pause withdrawal after summer, Petraeus says

[unhappycamper]

Commander testifies in Washington
Recommends drawdown of surge, then a 45-day pause


Pause withdrawal after summer, Petraeus says
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Apr 9, 2008 6:27:49 EDT

In a clear sign that the burden of figuring a way out of Iraq falls on the next U.S. president, the nation’s leading Iraq strategists said Tuesday they cannot see far enough into the horizon to know when and how a withdrawal is possible.

“Almost everything about Iraq is hard,” said U.S. ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, “but hard does not mean hopeless.”

“I cannot guarantee success in Iraq, but I think we are closer,” Crocker said as he and Army Gen. David. Petraeus, commander of U.S. and multi-national forces in Iraq, began two days of testimony before Congress. They will testify again on Wednesday.

Petraeus, in a somewhat unexpected announcement, said he recommends continuing to draw down the temporary surge of U.S. combat forces in Iraq through the summer, but then wants a 45-day pause to determine the next step. That leaves key decisions on Iraq to be made just about the same time as the fall elections.

Petraeus was unwilling to predict how many people might be in Iraq by the end of the year, which coincides with the final days of the Bush administration.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/military_petraeus_040808/

[SteinbachMB]

1. I like Petraeus

but his act is getting tired. He may be right, but no one cares, anymore. The mess is bigger than one man can do anything about.

[unhappycamper]

2. Petraeus is all about Freidman units. n/t