Gates: Some US troops may stay if Iraq wants

[Keith Bee]

Source: AP

BAGHDAD (AP) -- The Obama administration would keep U.S. troops in Iraq beyond the agreed final withdrawal date of Dec. 31, 2011, if the Iraqi government wanted them, but the Iraqis need to decide "pretty quickly" in order for the Pentagon to accommodate the extension, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday during what he said probably is his final visit to this war-torn country.

Whether to negotiate an extended U.S. military presence is up to the Iraqis, he said, adding that he thought an extension might make sense.

"We are willing to have a presence beyond (2011), but we've got a lot of commitments," he said, not only in Afghanistan and Libya but also in Japan, where he said 19 U.S. Navy ships and about 18,000 U.S. military personnel are assisting in earthquake, tsunami and nuclear reactor relief efforts.

"So if folks here are going to want us to have a presence, we're going to need to get on with it pretty quickly in terms of our planning," he added. "I think there is interest in having a continuing presence. The politics are such that we'll just have to wait and see because the initiative ultimately has to come from the Iraqis."

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_GATES_IRAQ?SITE=TXHOU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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No. Fuck no. Motherfuck no. :grr: :puke: :argh:

[DrDan]

1. so much for ever getting out of Iraq.

Might as well get started on building those permanant bases - smonthing to match that embassy estate.

[paparush]

13. One doesn't build the largest foreign embassy in the world and then get out.

We're there for decades to come.

My grandchildren will ask me why there are US soldiers in Iraq, Afghanista, Libya, Pakistan. I'll tell them, "Don't ask me about South Korea, Japan, Germany, or the 700+ other bases the US has around the world."

Empire is destroying this country.

[dipsydoodle]

2. What they gonna do ?

Hold a referendum ? I wouldn't believe any other source for the request.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. What was it that Colin Powell said?

You broke it, you bought it? Guess he was right... :(

That we are still there after seven years is not what we were told would happen. This was supposed to be over very quickly. That we went there at all was foolhardy and dangerous, but that we are still there, with no end in sight, is worse. Those who were responsible should be held accountable. I share your feelings... :grr: :argh: :mad: :banghead:

[AnOhioan]

4. Long live the Empire!!!

The American public was snookered

[No Elephants]

9. Was the American public really snookered?

I wasn't. I doubt media really were. But no one asked my permission.

And I was way too busy posting and watching MSNBC ignore the war to do much else.

[Keith Bee]

5. I'll tell you this much:

Since arriving on DU, I have repeatedly argued against a primary challeng to Obama next year. But if THIS fucking shit goes down, I might just drive to DC, nag Anthony Weiner's staff into getting me in to see him, and BEG the Congressman to oppose the President!

[LawnKorn]

6. Deployed troops need contractor support and Halliburton needs more Government money

This is a last ditch effort to keep the gravy train rolling for another year.

[Possumpoint]

7. If Iraq Wants Them

Let Iraq reimburse the USA for the Operating costs of the troops and their equipment.

[Alcibiades]

8. Hey baby,

It's me, Secretary Gates. I know it's been rough. I know I've been involved in Afghanistan, but we were involved in Afghanistan before we got involved, so I don't know what kind of message it would send if we dumped them. Libya is a one time thing. It's over. Really.

I'm sorry if I've hurt you. I've tried to honor my many commitments the best way I know how. I know we agreed on a trial separation, but don't you get lonely? I miss you, and the thought of leaving forever is too much to bear. We've been through so much together. I know I've made some mistakes, but it will be different this time. I promise.

I have bought you some very expensive presents over the years, and I just want to let you know you can keep them. What's more, there's more for you if you agree to let me stay. I want to commit to a long-term occupation. Please, don't let it be over.

Love,

Secretary Gates

[No Elephants]

10. "Some US troops may stay if Iraq wants" any more U.S. foreign aid.

[goobergoober01]

11. So if folks here "whoever we bribe to say it" are going to want us to have a presence

[russspeakeasy]

12. Your grandchildren will be there.

[Keith Bee]

14. Lucky for me.....

...I don't have any grandkids.

[daleo]

15. But how long will China bankroll this?

Sooner or later, they will quit buying bonds and then it all unravels (or taxes go up on the rich, which seems pretty unlikely).

[classysassy]

16. We never leave, once we invade a country

Ask the Germans,the Koreans and Japanese.

[Nihil]

17. Discovered: The anti-particle to "Hotel California" ...

"We can check out any time we like,
but we will *never* leave!"
(Cue guitar break)

[Keith Bee]

18. What do we have in Germany alone?

100,000? 200,000? Sixty-six years later.

[sarcasmo]

19. They don't want you in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Germany, and every freaking place else

this country has troops.

[BOG PERSON]

20. n/t

oops