U.S. Troops to Be in Iraq Into '09

[unhappycamper]

U.S. Troops to Be in Iraq Into '09
Associated Press | February 02, 2008

WASHINGTON - President Bush's top diplomat in Iraq said Friday that the U.S. plans to keep combat troops there into 2009, seen as the tipping point for establishing the nation's long-term security, and he offered no deadline for a full withdrawal.

Ambassador Ryan Crocker told The Associated Press that he can't make any promises if, as the Democratic candidates have signaled, the next president pulls forces out faster or in greater numbers.

Crocker said America remains "a center of gravity" in Iraq almost five years after invasion, and that violence and political development both hinge to a considerable degree on whether U.S. forces remain there.

Crocker said he and Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, would make the best of any change in plans ordered from the top.

"Obviously, we're not the ones who make the policy decisions - not in this administration and not in the next one," Crocker said.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,161247,00.html?wh=wh



uhc comment: "not in the next one"? :wtf:

[thunder rising]

1. uhc comment: "not in the next one"? Note: the military does not make policy is what he's saying

They didn't have a say about going in, staying and the same will be true about getting out.