Gates: British drawdown due to improved conditions

[babylonsister]

It's getting deep...

Gates: British drawdown due to improved conditions
By Nancy A. Youssef | McClatchy Newspapers

* Posted on Thursday, October 11, 2007


LONDON- U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and his British counterpart Thursday defended Britain's decision to pull half of its troops out of Iraq, saying that it was due to improved conditions in Iraq, not mounting domestic political pressures.

The U.S. and Britain share "exactly the same aspirations for Iraq," said Des Browne, the British defense secretary after the two men met in London.

At the same time, Browne called for an increase in international forces in Afghanistan, which he called "a long-term commitment." But he stopped short of saying the 2,500 British troops set to leave southern Iraq by the end of the year would be sent to Afghanistan.

During a meeting in London, both men stressed that Britain and the United States agreed on the drawdown on the grounds that significant progress had been made in the south, where the bulk of British troops are stationed. Gates said the drawdown "was closely coordinated" with Gen. David Petraeus, the top military commander in Iraq.

A senior Pentagon official said that the situation in southern Iraq had improved so much that more coalition troops could draw down, including some of the 500 Australian troops in the south.

In actual fact, fighting is increasing between rival Shiite factions for control of the oil-rich section of the country. Governors were assassinated in the southern al Muthanna and Diwaniyah provinces this past summer, and many suspect their deaths were tied to the fight for control of Iraq's southern provinces.

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/20393.html

[Bitwit1234]

1. If that's the case

how come half of the US troops aren't coming home. Are these callous killers going to wait til almost November 08 to bring them home to gain points for an election. Not caring how many are killed in the meantime.