U.S. Army 1st Lt. Justin John, with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, checks his surroundings during a joint patrol with Iraqi National Police officers of the Hadar community of southern Baghdad, Iraq, on Nov. 29, 2008. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Todd Frantom, U.S. Navy. (Released)From McClatchy:
BAGHDAD — All U.S. forces will leave Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011, but how that withdrawal will happen is still being negotiated by Iraqi and American officials, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said Tuesday.
"Every plan that I'm running has us out here by 2011, period. I have no other option," Gen. Ray Odierno said. "We have a plan that if we see things getting better, we will leave faster," he said.
As of Jan. 1, U.S. military operations are to be governed by a new security agreement that gives significantly more authority to Iraq. It replaces an expiring United Nations mandate that had given the U.S. wide latitude to act independently in Iraq.
With that deadline approaching, U.S. and Iraqi leaders are negotiating details of the agreement that could affect the withdrawal date.
Read more ....
My Comment: If the Iraqi Government feels that they are in control of their security situation and that their authority and independence is respected .... I would not be surprised to still see tens of thousands of Americans in Iraq 5 to 10 years from now. There is too much at stake, and the Iraqi Government will do nothing to jeopardize the gains that they now have after years of war and tyranny.
Negotiations, compromises, discussions .... this will always be ongoing .... but both Iraq and the U.S. have the same objectives .... stability in Iraq and the production and growth of its oil resources. The fact that military, non-military and intelligence assets will take years to develop and grow .... American forces will always be present.
No comments:
Post a Comment