US News

GW Chimpzilla's Eye-Rack · Guest

June 1, 2007 —
U.S. officials tell ABC News that the troop levels in Iraq cannot be maintained
at the present level, either politically or practically, with the military
stretched so thin.

But that does not imply an immediate drawdown. Officials tell ABC's Martha
Raddatz the senior commanders in Iraq -- Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno and Gen. David
Petraeus -- want the surge to continue until at least December, and expect to
report enough progress by September to justify the extension.

The drawdown would begin in February 2008, although each of the two generals
supports a slightly different plan.

Plan one, which officials say is being pushed by Odierno, calls for a reduction
in troops from roughly 150,000 today to 100,000 by December of 2008.

Petraeus champions a slightly different approach that would be to cut the troops
down to roughly 130,000 by the end of 2008, with further reduction.

Presence in Iraq Beyond 2009

There is also discussion of how long troops will remain in Iraq.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates envisions "some presence" on the part of the
United States that "provides reassurance to our friends and to governments in
the region, including those that might be our adversaries, that we're going to
be there for a long time," Gates said.

A senior official said one long-term plan would have 30-50,000 U.S. forces in
Iraq for 5-10 years beyond 2009.

During that period, the bulk of the troops would be deployed to bases at
strategic points throughout Iraq to respond to crisis in those areas. Camp
Victory would continue to operate as the U.S. military headquarters in Baghdad.
Iraq's president tells ABC's George Stephanopoulos on "This Week" this Sunday
that Iraqi forces can take over, but no time soon.

When asked when the Iraqi army will be ready to defend its country, Jalal
Talabani said, "I think the end of the next year."

But officials have serious doubts about that statement. And as far as the plans
for troops, they could all change over the coming months.

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