Signs point toward pause in Iraq withdrawal

[unhappycamper]

Signs point toward pause in Iraq withdrawal
By Robert Burns - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jan 29, 2008 22:07:16 EST

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is sending strong signals that U.S. troop reductions in Iraq will slow or stop altogether in coming months, a move that would jeopardize hopes of relieving strain on the Army and Marine Corps and revive debate over an open-ended U.S. commitment in Iraq.

The indications of a likely slowdown reflect misgivings by U.S. commanders that improvements in security in Iraq since June, to a degree few had predicted when President Bush ordered five additional Army brigades to Iraq a year ago, is tenuous and could be reversed if the extra troops leave too soon.

One of those extra brigades left in December and the other four are due to come out by July to leave 15 brigades, or roughly 130,000 to 135,000 troops. That is the same number as before Bush sent the reinforcements.

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, is to report to the president and to Congress in April on possible additional cutbacks and any recommended changes in strategy. Petraeus recently said it would be prudent to “let things settle a bit” after the current round of troop cuts is completed in July before deciding whether and when to reduce further.

Majority Democrats in Congress have pressed unsuccessfully to wind down the war quickly, in part out of concern that more firepower should be transferred to Afghanistan where the security situation has deteriorated. Reluctance by Bush to continue the troop drawdown beyond July is likely to trigger a new round of conflict with the anti-war Democrats, especially with presidential and congressional elections looming in November.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_iraqwithdrawal_080129/