U.S. Commander Now Says Iraqis Will Stand Up If Our Soldiers Stand Beside Them, Not Down

[bigtree]

Commander Warns Congress On Troop Withdrawal from Iraq

UPDATED - Wednesday November 15, 2006 1:36pm

WASHINGTON (AP) - The top U.S. commander in the Middle East warned Congress Wednesday against setting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq . . .

Gen. John Abizaid said he was not arguing for the status quo. He said the key change that is needed now is to place more U.S. troops inside the Iraqi army and police units to train and advise these forces in planning and executing missions.

Pressed by Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., on how much time the U.S. and Iraqi government have to reduce the violence in Baghdad before it spirals beyond control, Abizaid said, "Four to six months."

"We cannot save the Iraqis from themselves. The only way for Iraqi leaders to squarely face that reality is for President Bush to tell them that the United States will begin a phased redeployment of our forces within four to six months," said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.

Asked by Levin whether he was considering increasing the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, Abizaid said he was considering "all the way from increasing U.S. combat forces all the way down to withdrawing" them. He said he would present recommendations to his superiors. (wth? Make up your goddamn mind already!

report: http://www2.abc27.com/news/stories/1106/374745.html



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[lapfog_1]

1. I predict a large number of friendly fire incidents in the future..

When can we get this into the MSM echo chamber. The Iraqi military and police ARE the militias. We are training and equipping our opponents in the fight. They are laughing at us.

[bigtree]

3. nothing more outrageous than making our soldiers join the death squads, is there?

I love the paramilitary training we provide them Haven't they learned ANYthing?

I forget sometimes who we're talking about

[butterfly77]

2. It seems to me I have heard this months ago...