Rumsfeld says US forces in Iraq should fall over time, but will 'bulge' fo

[leftchick]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050318/pl_afp/iraqusforcesrumsfeld&cid=1521&ncid=1480

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US and coalition force levels in Iraq (news - web sites) ought to decline over time as Iraqi security forces become more capable but they will "bulge" during key election periods later this year, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said.

Iraqis are due to form a new government, draft a constitution, vote on the constitution in October, and then hold elections in December for a permanent government, Rumsfeld noted.


"And during that period our forces -- total, everybody, coalition and Iraqi -- will undoubtedly bulge somewhat during those key election periods," he told an audience of military and civilian defense employees at the Pentagon (news - web sites).


"But in the aggregate, over time, one would think the non-Iraqi members of the coalition could adjust downward as the capabilities of the Iraqis increase," he said.



U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld speaks during a town hall style meeting with civilian employees and members of the military at The Pentagon (news - web sites) in Washington March18, 2005. Rumsfeld dealt with issues raised by those attending relating to the war in Iraq (news - web sites), maintaining enrolment in the volunteer army as well as concerns dealing with pay increases to civilian employees. REUTERS/Chris Kleponis

[louis-t]

1. Shut up rummy, just shut up

Why doesn't he just shut up. He's a joke. Can't wait to see how * rewards him for his incompetance.

[RaleighNCDUer]

2. Oh, OK, it's the aggregate coalition forces that are declining.

So when the Spanish pull out, we are prevented from doing so. When the Ukranians leave, our soldiers don't. When the Italians leave...

The eventual goal is to get all our allies out first.

They had a plan after all.

[Selteri]

3. More like those people who refused to get off the Titanic

By the time everyone else is gone, all the avenues of escape should be gone.

[Daphne08]

4. "US and coalition force levels...will 'bulge' during..."

bulge?

You gotta love euphemistic speech.

[zbdent]

5. The forces are already declining

It's called DEAD and WOUNDED . . .

[yebrent]

10. You forgot AWOL

http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/2005/AWOL-UA-Desertion1mar05.htm

[Seabiscuit]

6. "Bulge"? "BULGE"?? Fantasizing again you impotent warmongering freak????

[cliss]

7. The only 'bulge' I can think of is the one in his

1" inch thick skull.

Or maybe a 'bulge' in his pants. I've read that RumsFinished really digs death, mayhem & murder.

[gratuitous]

8. Troop bulges during key election times?

Was he talking about in Iraq or in the U.S.? Seems every election is a good time for the Repukes to ratchet up the fake patriotism and cynical exploitation of supporting the troops. And enough people fall for it every time to keep them in power. And they get all sorts of media mileage from the talking chuckleheads who just can't quite bring themselves to believe that once again the Repukes are playing politics with people's lives.

No sense changing the strategery now.

[denverbill]

9. Yes, we need to Vietnamize the war. I mean, Iraqi-ize. n/t

[MichiganVote]

11. The only bulge I see is the collective ego of the Bush admin.

The borg with a bulge. See it on your nightly news channel daily.

And remember middle america- resistance is futile....

[leftchick]

12. Sen. Levin on C-Span hoping for the Iraqis to ask US to stay!

I caught the replay from yesterday on c-span. wtf was he drinking? This is Vietnam ALL OVER AGAIN! I swear these dems are driving me mad!!!!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

16. He sure can't mean the people of Iraq.

They want the troops OUT. He must be holding out for the new and improved government to name a doable price.

[Rex]

13. So it was the boss taking questions from his employees?

Not very bold IMO.

[bunny planet]

14. Bulge this, Rumsfailed.

[daleo]

15. The Battle of the Bulge

Rummy may be setting up a little subliminal message - "we will defeat the opposition like we did the Nazis in the Battle of the Bulge".

Of course it was the German forces that "bulged" during this battle, so he would not want the parallel drawn too far, else it begins to project a message he wouldn't favor.