Posted on 08/07/2008 11:44:58 AM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
BAGHDAD - Two Iraqi officials say the U.S. and Iraq are close to a deal under which all American combat troops would leave by October 2010 with remaining U.S. forces gone about three years later.
A U.S. official in Washington acknowledges progress has been made on the timelines for a U.S. departure but offered no firm date. Another U.S. official strongly suggested the 2010 date may be too ambitious.
A timetable is part of a security agreement being negotiated by U.S. and Iraqi officials.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Total BS. The infamous obnoxious Abdul-Zahra quoting “two officials”. Just wait for this story to be retracted/corrected/refuted a few days later.
BTW you read it first here from me.
Either way... let’s watch the Democrats capitalize on this...
My first reaction as well. Total zrabbat beeha.
Which is the only reason AP write Abdul-Zahra cranked out this story. If they don’t have the neccessairy facts or sources the always ready “anonymous officials” have to do the trick.
This is the minimum time line as briefed last fall.
If they hit the timelines on the minimums this would be the 4 security Bdes for the four Air Bases that will need to stay to cover the air defense until Iraq takes that over in 2018-20.
- Sep2008 decision for reduction to 12 BCTs by Jan.
- Mar2009 decision for 10 BCTs by July.
- Sep2009 decision for 7 BCTs by Jan.
- Mar2010 decision for 4 BCTs by July (mid-2010).
This is the current plan that General Petraius briefed last September. If something goes wrong, the decision slides to the right.
So you are looking at repackaging the current plan for a headline....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.