US may start Iraq pull-out this year, says Gates

Financial Times ^ | August 5 2007 19:09 | By Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington

[DeaconBenjamin]

The Bush administration could begin drawing troops out of Iraq by the end of the year, Robert Gates, the defence secretary, said on Sunday. Mr Gates insisted, however, that the so-called surge in US deployment this year had been effective.

Mr Gates said on NBC’s Meet the Press there was a possibility that the US could begin to withdraw forces by the end of this year.

But he also made clear that any decision would depend on the outcome of a progress report by General David Petraeus, the senior military commander in Iraq, and Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador, which is to be released to Congress in September.

* * *

But Mr Gates said that he disagreed with the recommendation by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group last year that the US reduce military and economic support for the Iraqi government if it failed to make substantial progress towards national reconciliation.

While Mr Gates said he would have agreed with that assessment earlier, he and others had “not anticipated” six months ago the positive “turn” in conditions that had developed on a “local level” in Iraq.

“We’ve had some very interesting developments in Anbar province and Diyala and some of the other provinces and local areas,” said Mr Gates. The US was working with local officials who had changed sides, “who are enlisting their young men in the police, who are co-operating”, Mr Gates said on CNN.

* * *

“But the reality is, if Iraq is to reconcile, if Iraq is to stabilise, it’s going to involve people who have been in opposition deciding not to be in opposition any more and joining up with the government....I think there is a need to take some risk, some measured risk,” he said on CNN.

[OCC]

I think Timmy said that (the headline) an Mr. Gates said it was possible depending on the situation.

[JasonC]

The Republicans want to be out by oh, about September 15 of next year. Just in time for the Dems to not have anything to run on, but without too much time for things to fall apart.

[elpadre]

When it comes to reducing troops and battle plans, the DOD, Miltary leaders and White House need to keep quiet. I know they are pressed hard, but as FR says well, “Loose lips sink ships.”

I’m certain in years to come it will come out that telegraphing our intentions and our strategy in this war has cost us lives. Shame!!

[Ceebass]

There are more troops there now, then there are replacements for them here.

When their tours are up, they rotate back and fewer newbies replace them.

No real news here, it’s just a function of the rotation schedule.