TROOPS CUTS UNLIKELY
This from The McClatchy News Service yesterday . . .
U.S. commanders are unlikely to reduce the number of American troops in Iraq before next summer, the top U.S. military officer in the Middle East said Tuesday.
U.S. military leaders had hoped to bring the number of American personnel in Iraq down to around 100,000 by year's end, but high levels of sectarian violence probably will prevent any reductions below the current level of 147,000 before the end of spring, said Gen. John Abizaid, who oversees the U.S. Central Command.
"I think these are prudent force levels," he said. "I think they're achieving the military effect."
More American troops could be sent to Iraq, Abizaid said. "If it's necessary to do that because the military situation on the ground requires that, we'll do it," he said.
U.S. commanders are unlikely to reduce the number of American troops in Iraq before next summer, the top U.S. military officer in the Middle East said Tuesday.
U.S. military leaders had hoped to bring the number of American personnel in Iraq down to around 100,000 by year's end, but high levels of sectarian violence probably will prevent any reductions below the current level of 147,000 before the end of spring, said Gen. John Abizaid, who oversees the U.S. Central Command.
"I think these are prudent force levels," he said. "I think they're achieving the military effect."
More American troops could be sent to Iraq, Abizaid said. "If it's necessary to do that because the military situation on the ground requires that, we'll do it," he said.
9:03 PM
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