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Troop Reductions: Beginning Now?
ABC News ^ | June 26, 2006 | JONATHAN KARL

Posted on 06/26/2006 6:01:41 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar

ABC News Has Learned Two Army Brigades Will Likely Not Go to Iraq

June 26, 2006 — The White House and Pentagon insist that no decisions have been made on troop reductions in Iraq, but ABC News has learned that two Army brigades that were packed and ready to go have been told it is likely they will not make the trip.

One group, including 3,500 soldiers from the third brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, N.C., was scheduled to leave later this summer, but they have now been told they'll probably stay home.

Another 3,500 soldiers from the third brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas, have been told they will likely be going to Kuwait instead.

This could be the sign of a drawdown, as the last time troops were reduced it was achieved by not replacing outgoing soldiers from Iraq.

Debating the Troops

The potential reduction is part of the plan Gen. George Casey presented to President Bush last week regarding troop levels.

Pentagon sources say Casey told the president that if conditions improve there could be deeper cuts next year, with a reduction of 7,000 combat troops by the end of 2007, leaving roughly 120,000 troops in the country.

A senior Pentagon official described the discussion of 2007 as "trying to look into a crystal ball" and noted "we're talking about the end of 2006. Casey isn't even going to be the commander at the beginning of 2007." Casey is expected to be replaced at the end of the year.

"There are too many variables to be able to talk with any certainty" about what troop cuts will be possible next year, the official said.

Senate Democrats responding to Casey's plan were furious today, saying it is virtually the same as their proposal, for which they were loudly criticized just last week.

"We were condemned and said to be cutting and running from our troops and from our responsibility," said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill.

Discussions aside, the Pentagon has planned for major troop reductions in the past only to see those plans scrapped because of persistent violence, something that could derail these plans as well.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: iraq; supportthetroops; wot
Loose lips?

Not at ABC.

1 posted on 06/26/2006 6:01:42 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
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To: Jet Jaguar

Hmmmm odd. Why not send them and draw down troops that have been in country for most their tour all ready?


2 posted on 06/26/2006 6:04:11 PM PDT by MNJohnnie (Fire Murtha Now! Spread the word. Support Diana Irey. http://www.irey.com/)
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To: Jet Jaguar

See, why not delay or not go? When newspeople commit treason and enable or embolden terrorists to murder our men in harms way, why not delay?

If someone leaked something that contributed to one of my men's injury or death, I know who I'd be looking for, and words would not be in store.


3 posted on 06/26/2006 6:04:13 PM PDT by combat_boots (Dug in and not budging an inch. NOT to be schiavoed, greered, or felosed as a patient)
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To: Jet Jaguar
"We were condemned and said to be cutting and running from our troops and from our responsibility," said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill."


How many Divisions are you commanding Mr. Durbin? You liberal A**hole.
4 posted on 06/26/2006 6:05:31 PM PDT by headstamp (Nothing lasts forever, Unless it does.)
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To: MNJohnnie

They get mad when there is no plan for withdrawal, then get mad at the first hint of a plan for any withdrawal. The libs have zero credibility. Tonight I tuned in to network news shows for the first time in years, just for fun. What a cesspool.


5 posted on 06/26/2006 6:07:22 PM PDT by Huck (Hey look, I'm still here.)
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To: Huck

I wonder if that is what this all about. All this just Democrat posturing so they could claim credit for "Forcing Bush to draw down troop levels". Hope the American people are not stupid enough to fall for it. If they are coming home, it is JUST what Gen. Casey said, he doesn't need them anymore.


6 posted on 06/26/2006 6:10:08 PM PDT by MNJohnnie (Fire Murtha Now! Spread the word. Support Diana Irey. http://www.irey.com/)
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To: headstamp

Attempt to save face after the shellacking the Dems have been taking. Typical for ABC News to give them every opportunity to do so.


7 posted on 06/26/2006 6:10:28 PM PDT by NutCrackerBoy
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To: Jet Jaguar

I've seen this story before, but I don't remember where....


8 posted on 06/26/2006 6:12:27 PM PDT by stylin19a
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To: MNJohnnie

They're pissed cuz Rove called them out for being the "cut and run" Frenchies that they are. GWB, Tony Snow, and others pointed out the difference is that for the Administration, withdrawals will be predicated on victory. Not so for the frenchies. So they've got their panties in a double wad. As usual.


9 posted on 06/26/2006 6:22:33 PM PDT by Huck (Hey look, I'm still here.)
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To: Jet Jaguar

This would be hilarious if it weren't so infuriating. Here we have the libs, who insist on A Plan. They do not specify what they want The Plan to accomplish other than to "bring the troops home".

Not far away we have the media who will do anything to find and leak all kinds of information - classified or otherwise.

Then we have the Tin Foil Hat Brigades who will read disinformation between the lines of everything and insist this plan was conceived by the Bilderburg Chorus...

Then...there's the Dixie Chix.

What a world!



10 posted on 06/26/2006 6:38:44 PM PDT by SE Mom (Proud mom of an Iraq war combat vet)
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To: Huck
They were getting mad because they weren't getting the credit of the plan, and were not notified of it.
No matter that, they don't want the Republicans, and the Bush administration to look good to the voters.
This is their whole motivation in most of their decisions.
11 posted on 06/26/2006 7:00:31 PM PDT by Prophet in the wilderness (PSALM 53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart , There is no GOD .)
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To: Jet Jaguar
Senate Democrats responding to Casey's plan were furious today, saying it is virtually the same as their proposal, for which they were loudly criticized just last week.

F the Senators. They are not conducting war. They just try to get more Americans killed.

12 posted on 06/26/2006 7:46:38 PM PDT by Cobra64 (All we get are lame ideas from Republicans and lame criticism from dems about those lame ideas.)
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