US military plans to maintain current troop levels in Iraq

[Barrett808]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US military plans to maintain US forces in Iraq at current levels even as it concentrates more troops in Baghdad to deal with rising violence, a Pentagon spokesman said.

US President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki are expected to take up the deteriorating security conditions in Baghdad and its implications when they meet here Tuesday.

The meeting comes amid growing recognition that a six-week-old security crackdown has failed to stem the onslaught of massacres, kidnappings and bombings in the Baghdad area, a key goal of Maliki's new government.

US commanders are planning to increase the number of US troops in Baghdad, but plans now call for bringing them in from other parts of the country rather than from outside Iraq.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said additional units will be identified to replace units coming home during a rotation of US forces that begins in September, but overall force levels are expected to remain roughly the same.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060724/pl_afp/usiraqmilitarytroops

[Monkeyman]

1. They never were going to cut back

They claim that Iraqi police and troops now number 250,000 where are they. Its all a lie only 39& of the money to train the Iraqi has been spent. Over 2 million of that is missing. We are there and if we do not win in 2006 we will be there until after 2008

[partylessinOhio]

2. Very bad news for those wives and children waiting for their National

Guardsman to come home. Some after three tours of duty.

[Monkeyman]

3. Yep and alot on meds DOD is handing out like candy

I did two tours in Nam these kids are seening more in their tours then I ever did. PTSD is know in one out of three. But when they come home their discharges claim PD instead to keep the numbers from the public.

[partylessinOhio]

6. Yes, I know and this corrupt admin. is cutting Veteran's benefits.

They have been closing hospitals and clinics all over the US that were and will be badly needed.

Brecksville V. A. Hospital was demolished last week. This was shown on TV. It appeared to be a very substantially constructed building. This is another complete insanity, such a waste. Reminds me of Lebanon.

[The_Casual_Observer]

4. So much for a pre-election draw down "victory".

But that shouldn't surprise anybody, they'll just play the "don't say anything, or you're a trator" card to stifle debate.

[rodeodance]

5. haveno fear--a drawdawn will come in the nick of time.