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Rumsfeld shies away from projecting quick, significant drawdown in U-S troops

March 29, 2005:

PENTAGON While some Iraqi government officials are predicting that their own forces will be able to take over security duties within a year and a half, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is shying away from making any such predictions.

Rumsfeld says he "likes to deliver rather than promise" -- and he says that any discussion about the draw-down of U-S troops has to be "conditions-based."

Rumsfeld says American troops will remain in Iraq while they're needed, and not any longer.

General Peter Pace, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says he's "cautiously optimistic" about conditions on the ground in Iraq -- and he believes they will continue to improve.

Pilgrims gather around the Imam Hussein Shrine in Karbala, Iraq, Tuesday, March 29, 2005, for evening prayers in advance of al-Arbaeen ceremonies, which culminate Thursday. Al-Arbaeen is one the holiest days of their religious calendar, commemorating the end of a 40-day mourning period after the anniversary of the 7th century martyrdom of Imam Hussein, one of Shiism's top saints.(AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Defense Department Briefing Tuesday, March 29, 2005 1:17 p.m. EST

Presenter: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; General Peter Pace, USMC, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff