"US says Iraq troop pullout on schedule after vote."

[Clio the Leo]

US says Iraq troop pullout on schedule after vote.

BEN HUBBARD
AP News

Mar 08, 2010 08:32 EST

The top U.S. general for Iraq said Monday the country's national election was a milestone on the way to a full pullout of U.S. combat troops by September 1 as planned.

Gen. Ray Odierno told reporters in Baghdad that most of the about 96,000 troops currently in Iraq will remain here though May, when the military will begin scaling down to 50,000 noncombat troops by the Obama administration's self-imposed deadline at the start of September. The timetable calls for all troops to be out by the end of 2011.

"Unless there's a catastrophic event, we don't see that changing," Odierno said. "We believe we're right on track for that. We think this is another milestone."

Odierno says that as of now, every sign points to Iraq being able to peacefully form a new government in coming months.

more...
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2010/03/us_says_iraq_troop_pullout_on_schedule_after_vote.php

[jaxx]

1. This is good news.

Iraq becomes history.

[Jennicut]

2. The fear of the elections there was overblown. Their turnout also was close to the turnout for our

election in 2008. Follow the timetable, and get the hell out by 2011.

[Robb]

4. Yes and no.

The fear was reasonable and prudent. People were killed., and probably fewer than might've been, thanks to a lot of hand-wringing in advance.

It was the resolve of the Iraqi people that was underestimated, IMO. They're itching to get the show on the road, so to speak.

[Jennicut]

5. True, I think they want things to start happening over there.

They are very resilient.

[tekisui]

3. More were brought into the process with this election.

This is a good thing. The Iraqi government will be seen as more legitimate. Sadly, around 40 people were killed going to the polls, and we tout that as a success. It just shows how bad things have been there.

Now comes the real test. As the votes are counted, the count must be seen as fair. And the forming of the new coalition government will be something to watch. Hopefully, the government power-sharing will be formed without violence. We will know in the coming weeks.

[HughMoran]

6. Good to hear

Pulling out on schedule isn't getting nearly the fanfare it deserves IMO.

[Cha]

7. KR

[CTLawGuy]

8. wow

no one from the peanut gallery has showed up yet!

[IndianaGreen]

9. All Quiet on the Western Front

or is it "Light at the End of the Tunnel?"