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Rumsfeld Expects Immediate Troop Reduction After Iraq Election
American Forces Press Service ^ | Dec 9, 2005 | Donna Miles

Posted on 12/09/2005 5:02:12 PM PST by SandRat

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2005 – The United States expects to reduce its troop numbers in Iraq by more than 17,000 following the Dec. 15 national elections, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Dec. 8. Rumsfeld, speaking on PBS' "News Hour With Jim Lehrer," said he expects to reduce the force, which surged to about 155,000 to ensure adequate security for the elections, to the previous baseline of 137,000 or 138,000.

"I'm sure of that," he said, noting that violence is expected to drop following the upcoming election, as it did following the Oct. 15 referendum on the constitution and the Jan. 30 election earlier this year.

"If the past is a guide, we'll undoubtedly see that to be the case," the secretary said.

Following that initial drawdown, decisions on further reductions will be based strictly on conditions and circumstances on the ground and the Iraqi security forces' capability, Rumsfeld said.

"This is a process that will go on," the secretary said. "And as that happens, we will be able to pare down our forces as the conditions permit."

Rumsfeld said he expects field commanders to recommend more reductions as Iraqi security forces grow in size and experience.

Iraq's security forces continue to take on increasing responsibility, he noted. They've taken control of 17 bases and security responsibility for a province and about half of Baghdad, he said.

"They are going to be very much in charge of the election on Dec. 15 in terms of the security for that," Rumsfeld said.

Terrorists, recognizing how much they stand to lose, "will clearly try to make this election a failure," the secretary predicted, but won't succeed in blocking Iraq's political progress.

"They failed to do it in January. They failed to do it in October with respect to a constitutional referendum," he said. "And they're going to fail to do it next week. But they will try."


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: after; election; expects; gnfi; immediate; iraq; iraqielection; reduction; rumsfeld; timetable; troop; troopwithdrawal
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1 posted on 12/09/2005 5:02:14 PM PST by SandRat
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To: 2LT Radix jr; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 80 Square Miles; A Ruckus of Dogs; acad1228; AirForceMom; ..

PING


2 posted on 12/09/2005 5:02:32 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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Comment #3 Removed by Moderator

To: iraqikurd

I agree this is a good thing. Even the left can rejoice, they of course will claim credit.


4 posted on 12/09/2005 5:06:42 PM PST by fantom
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To: iraqikurd
This is not a 'troop' reduction at all.

The only troops leaving after the elections are the ones that were sent to Iraq FOR the elections to provide added security.

The U.S. wont be 'pulling back' any time soon.
5 posted on 12/09/2005 5:18:19 PM PST by Pukin Dog (Sans Reproache)
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To: SandRat

I thought McCain said we needed more troops?


6 posted on 12/09/2005 5:21:29 PM PST by blam
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To: SandRat

According the Pentagon Channel, and other military sources, the plan has ALWAYS been to draw down to 92k in 2006.

Credit to the administration for not tying themselves to this number. Fortunately, the MSM ADD continues on the facts.

Remember, the MSM flurry as late as 4 months ago was NOT ENOUGH TROOPS!!!


7 posted on 12/09/2005 5:22:19 PM PST by Wiseghy (Discontent is the want of self-reliance: it is infirmity of will. – Ralph Waldo Emerson)
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To: SandRat
The United States expects to reduce its troop numbers in Iraq by more than 17,000 following the Dec. 15 national elections, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Dec. 8. Rumsfeld, speaking on PBS' "News Hour With Jim Lehrer," said he expects to reduce the force, which surged to about 155,000 to ensure adequate security for the elections, to the previous baseline of 137,000 or 138,000.

Rumsfeld will do what is prudent and necessary, no more, no less.

8 posted on 12/09/2005 5:25:25 PM PST by EGPWS
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To: SandRat

This is the beginning of the reconciliation period, after which the Democrats will always have supported the Iraq war. By 2008, there will have been no dissenters!


9 posted on 12/09/2005 5:28:07 PM PST by TeenagedConservative
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To: Pukin Dog

You are spot on. Thanks for the comment.


10 posted on 12/09/2005 5:29:34 PM PST by sruleoflaw
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To: blam

That's McKerry (RINO-AZ)


11 posted on 12/09/2005 5:29:35 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: TeenagedConservative

hehehehehehe!!!

But we'll remind them with proof positive verifiable source with their own words.

hehehehehehehehehe!!!!


12 posted on 12/09/2005 5:31:57 PM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: SandRat
"That's McKerry (RINO-AZ)"

I can't stand that egotistical SOB.

I especially don't like a bill he has introduced that would give the American Indians (NAGRA) any and all human remains found in the US and not allow any scientific examination and analysis.

13 posted on 12/09/2005 5:42:05 PM PST by blam
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To: Pukin Dog

We have a winner. There is nothing "new" here...the troops were already scheduled to start leaving after 15 December.
Most foks have no idea how hard it is to move large numbers of soldiers in/out of theater. You can't just decide one day to do it, and start executing the day after!

Regards,


14 posted on 12/09/2005 5:47:25 PM PST by Thunder 6
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To: iraqikurd
What is it with this preoccupation with withdrawing the troops. Why do we even need to do such a thing, We are much closer to other countries that need a mud hole stomped in them like Iran and Syria, or at the very least the threat of US force.

Maybe we should bring home 60 thousand or so over the next 4 or 5 years, but we should leave a large contingency right where they are. At the request of the good Iraqi people of course.

How long did we take to pull out of Europe, oh yea were still there. How about Japan, whoops still there also. Now Vietnam we withdrew, millions murdered.
15 posted on 12/09/2005 5:49:00 PM PST by phs3
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To: iraqikurd

Interesting name given the comments in your post.

1) We increased troop size specifically for the elections. This is not a pull back. Alan Colmes was just trying the same propaganda on H&C a couple minutes ago and he knows it is a lie to state we are withdrawing forces.

2) They know it's their country, they are dying to defend their country, they don't want us there for ever and it is damn condecending to refer to them in a tone as though they are children that need to be told at age "18" they are on their own. Let along repugnant given the loss of blood they are suffering given Iraq is now the center of the WOT.


16 posted on 12/09/2005 6:10:13 PM PST by Soul Seeker (Mr. President: It is now time to turn over the money changers' tables.)
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Comment #17 Removed by Moderator

To: SandRat

I thought we needed more troops.


18 posted on 12/09/2005 7:28:28 PM PST by Raycpa
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To: iraqikurd
What I don't want is for the Iraqi security forces to become dependent upon the United States military for backup.

It is in our best long term interests for Iraq to need our military.

19 posted on 12/09/2005 7:32:31 PM PST by Raycpa
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To: ducks1944; Ragtime Cowgirl; Alamo-Girl; TrueBeliever9; maestro; TEXOKIE; My back yard; djreece; ...
The United States expects to reduce its troop numbers in Iraq by more than 17,000 following the Dec. 15 national elections, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Dec. 8. Rumsfeld, speaking on PBS' "News Hour With Jim Lehrer," said he expects to reduce the force, which surged to about 155,000 to ensure adequate security for the elections, to the previous baseline of 137,000 or 138,000.

"I'm sure of that," he said, noting that violence is expected to drop following the upcoming election, as it did following the Oct. 15 referendum on the constitution and the Jan. 30 election earlier this year.

"If the past is a guide, we'll undoubtedly see that to be the case," the secretary said.

20 posted on 12/09/2005 8:43:28 PM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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