AP: U.S. Troops May Be Able to Leave Iraq (Gen. Chiarelli)

[Eugene]

U.S. Troops May Be Able to Leave Iraq

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer

Friday, December 8, 2006 08 19 AM

(12-08) 08:19 PST WASHINGTON, (AP) --

Significant U.S. combat troops could be pulled out of Iraq by early 2008 as long
as the Iraqis meets specific goals toward establishing a unified government, a
senior U.S. commander in Iraq said Friday.

"I think that's possible, if, in fact, we have interim steps that are agreed upon,
with timelines that basically move us toward reconciliation," said Lt. Gen. Peter
Chiarelli, who oversees U.S. military operations throughout Iraq. One key move,
he said, would be to set a date for provincial elections, as well as critical
economic improvements that would get the "angry young men" off the streets
and out of the insurgency.

Asked if the U.S. is winning the war in Iraq — a question incoming Defense
Secretary Robert Gates answered with a flat no last week — Chiarelli offered
Pentagon reporters a more optimistic view.

-snip-

Chiarelli added, "The real question that I think we should be asking ourselves is,
are we making the progress toward our strategic objectives? And I would have
to give that answer a yes. Are we moving as fast as I wish we were and I know
General Casey wishes we were, toward meeting those strategic objectives? We
are not."

-snip-

Full article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/1...