Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
USA Today
April 10, 2008
Pg. 4
WASHINGTON — The top U.S. military commander in Iraq said Wednesday that he is unlikely to call for another troop buildup in Iraq, even if security deteriorates after some of the extra American servicemembers return home this summer.
Gen. David Petraeus told a House panel that such a move would be considered the last resort, in part because of the strain it would place on the Army. First, the military could try to reallocate existing troops to respond to any hot spots. It also would rely more on Iraqi forces, which are improving in capability, he said.
"That would be a pretty remote thought in my mind," he said of reinstating last year's influx of troops.
Petraeus has recommended to President Bush that the United States complete, by the end of July, the withdrawal of 30,000 combat and support troops that were sent to Iraq last year to help calm the violence. Beyond that, the general proposed a 45-day evaluation period, to be followed by an indefinite period of assessment before he'd recommend further pullouts.
"We think it makes sense to have some time, to let the dust settle, perhaps to do some adjustment of forces, re-evaluation," he told the House Armed Services Committee.
Bush is scheduled to address the nation on his decision about troop levels in Iraq at 11:30 a.m. ET today from the White House. Aides signaled that the president would likely embrace Petraeus' recommendations, including plans to reduce tours in war zones.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino also said it is "within the realm of possibility" that Bush would discuss the length of soldiers' tours of duty in Iraq. She wouldn't be specific.
"I think the president has gotten a lot of advice," she said. "I think he's pretty far down the path of what he's going to say tomorrow."
Senior defense officials told the Associated Press the president will announce that Army units heading to war zones after Aug. 1 will serve 12-month tours rather than 15 months. They spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of Bush's speech.
There are nearly 160,000 troops in Iraq; that number is expected to drop to 140,000 by the end of July.
Wednesday's hearing marked the second day of testimony by Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq. Both described Iraq as a fragile state and warned that hard-fought security gains could slip if troops leave too soon.
April 10, 2008
Pg. 4
WASHINGTON — The top U.S. military commander in Iraq said Wednesday that he is unlikely to call for another troop buildup in Iraq, even if security deteriorates after some of the extra American servicemembers return home this summer.
Gen. David Petraeus told a House panel that such a move would be considered the last resort, in part because of the strain it would place on the Army. First, the military could try to reallocate existing troops to respond to any hot spots. It also would rely more on Iraqi forces, which are improving in capability, he said.
"That would be a pretty remote thought in my mind," he said of reinstating last year's influx of troops.
Petraeus has recommended to President Bush that the United States complete, by the end of July, the withdrawal of 30,000 combat and support troops that were sent to Iraq last year to help calm the violence. Beyond that, the general proposed a 45-day evaluation period, to be followed by an indefinite period of assessment before he'd recommend further pullouts.
"We think it makes sense to have some time, to let the dust settle, perhaps to do some adjustment of forces, re-evaluation," he told the House Armed Services Committee.
Bush is scheduled to address the nation on his decision about troop levels in Iraq at 11:30 a.m. ET today from the White House. Aides signaled that the president would likely embrace Petraeus' recommendations, including plans to reduce tours in war zones.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino also said it is "within the realm of possibility" that Bush would discuss the length of soldiers' tours of duty in Iraq. She wouldn't be specific.
"I think the president has gotten a lot of advice," she said. "I think he's pretty far down the path of what he's going to say tomorrow."
Senior defense officials told the Associated Press the president will announce that Army units heading to war zones after Aug. 1 will serve 12-month tours rather than 15 months. They spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of Bush's speech.
There are nearly 160,000 troops in Iraq; that number is expected to drop to 140,000 by the end of July.
Wednesday's hearing marked the second day of testimony by Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq. Both described Iraq as a fragile state and warned that hard-fought security gains could slip if troops leave too soon.