Gates: Some US troops may be leaving Iraq early

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Gates: Some US troops may be leaving Iraq early

By ANNE GEARAN
Associated Press Writer


ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT (AP) -- The United States is considering speeding up its withdrawal from Iraq because of the sustained drop in violence there, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday following discussions with his top commanders in the war.

"I think there's at least some chance of a modest acceleration," this year, Gates said.

It was the first suggestion that the Obama administration might rethink its difficult choice to leave a heavy fighting force in Iraq long past the election of an American president who opposed the war.

Gates said the consideration came because the situation is "better than expected."

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