DOD: Withdrawal to Be Conditions-Based, Coalition Spokesman Says

[sabra]

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2005/20050728_2257.html

Withdrawal to Be Conditions-Based, Coalition Spokesman Says
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, July 28, 2005 – The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq will be based strictly on security conditions in the country and the readiness of Iraqi forces to conduct independent operations, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman in Baghdad said today.
The United States will not withdraw forces until the Iraqi security forces meet conditions to be established by a joint commission, Air Force Brig. Gen. Donald Alston stressed in a news conference.

Army Gen. George W. Casey, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, said July 27 that substantial troop reductions could begin as early as spring or summer if the insurgency is put down and Iraqi forces are ready to handle the security mission.

The commissioned-established conditions will cover the combat capability of the Iraqi forces as well as the ability of the Iraqi government's ministries to sustain the forces and support them logistically, Alston said. The progress of Iraqi forces, however, isn't something that can be measured only quantitatively, he explained.

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[EVDebs]

1. Condition #1 = How bad will things look going into the '06 elections?

[htuttle]

2. How bad will things look in the US corporate press?

Or how bad will they really be in Iraq?

Big difference, which I'd assume will become bigger the closer we get to 2006.

[bemildred]

3. So soldiers keep dying, politicians keep trying to cover their asses,

and the mess keeps getting worse.