Rice Talks of Conditional U.S. Drawdown

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON - Echoing military commanders, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday the U.S. could withdraw a significant number of troops from Iraq this year if Iraqi forces are able to assume greater control of the country's security.


"I think it's entirely probable that we will see a significant drawdown of American forces over the next year. ... It's all dependent on events on the ground," the chief American diplomat said.

Just this past week, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld declined to predict when U.S. forces would be out of Iraq. President Bush has said that decision would be up to a future U.S. president and a future Iraqi government.

"The level of the forces in Iraq will depend on conditions on the ground and the recommendations of the commanders," Rumsfeld told reporters at the Pentagon. He said he had not yet received a recommendation from Gen. George Casey, the top commander in Iraq, on whether or when to reduce the size of the force.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060326/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq;_

Condi putting on a good face for the Sunday talk shows...while the "good news" from Iraq keeps coming in. :eyes:

Iraqi Boy Killed While Walking to School

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060326/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq;_

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060326/wl_nm/iraq_arrest_dc