Iraq Withdrawal Agreement Still Stands, Mullen Says

[Turborama]

Source: American Forces Press Service Via GlobalSecurity.org

By Jim Garamone

BAGHDAD, April 22, 2011 – All American troops will be out of Iraq at the end of the year in accordance with the security agreement signed in 2008, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.

“There are no plans –- nor has there been any request from the Iraqi government –- for any residual U.S. force presence here after December,” Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said during a news conference in the Marine Corps Maj. Megan McClung Memorial TV Studio at the Al Faw Palace complex.

Roughly 47,000 American service members are in Iraq now. Since signing the agreement, the United States has already withdrawn more than 100,000 personnel -- at the height of the surge, the U.S. military had about 170,000 personnel in Iraq.

Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of U.S. Forces Iraq, has a plan in place to complete the withdrawal on time, Mullen said. “There are no official discussions with respect to any extended presence of United States forces,” the chairman added.

Read more: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2011/04/mil-110422-afps05.htm

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I know some might not like the source, but this is the only article available which focuses on what he actually said, rather than editorializing with speculation.

[orangeapple]

1. what are the odds on Sadr stepping into the vacuum?

"Amid media speculation about backroom talks to clinch an agreement, Mullen said there have been no official discussions on the extended presence of U.S. forces beyond December.

He said the U.S. military would fully meet its obligations under the security pact to move troops out of Iraq by year-end.

"There are no plans -- nor have there been any requests from the Iraqi government -- for any residual U.S. force presence here after this December," he said.

Any decision by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to extend the presence of U.S. troops is risky. Anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose Sadrist bloc is part of Maliki's government, will unleash his Mehdi Army militia if U.S. troops fail to leave Iraq by year-end, his aides said earlier this month."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/22/us-iraq-usa-mullen-idUSTRE73L2PN20110422