TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Troops To Stay In Iraqi Cities

ADVERTISEMENT

The Washington Post

Published: December 14, 2008

BAGHDAD - American combat troops will remain inside Iraqi cities to train and mentor Iraqi forces after next summer, despite a security agreement that calls for their withdrawal from urban areas by June 30, the top U.S. military commander said Saturday.

The acknowledgment by Gen. Ray Odierno underscored the concern among Iraqi and U.S. officials that Iraq's military and police are not prepared to provide security on their own by the deadlines set under the pact. Under the status-of-forces agreement approved earlier this month, U.S. troops are required to pull out of Iraq by the end of 2011. Iraqi forces are scheduled to take over security in cities and towns beginning June 30.

Odierno said some U.S. troops would remain at joint security stations in training and support roles. Odierno expressed concern about reducing the American military presence at the time Iraq is set to hold elections next year, starting with provincial elections in January.

Odierno also noted that the deadline for a U.S. withdrawal could be renegotiated. Under the pact, the withdrawal date can be changed if necessitated by security conditions.

During a session with soldiers in Balad, Gates stressed that the United States remains committed to the 2011 deadline.

Nasir al-Ani, chief of staff for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said certain provisions in the pact are open to renegotiation so that "we can change the date or articles if that is necessary." But he said that Odierno's statements were "premature."

OFFICIALS VISIT REGION

•U.S. prosecutors Saturday visited the site of last year's shooting that left 17 Iraqis dead in a Baghdad square and briefed victims' families about the case against Blackwater Worldwide guards indicted in the deadly incident.

•Defense Secretary Robert Gates, speaking at a regional security conference in Bahrain, warned that foreign powers should not try to "test" President-elect Barack Obama with a crisis in his first months in office. And he emphasized that the incoming administration was opposed to what he called Iran's attempts to destabilize the gulf region.

A wire report

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT