Movement of forces into Iraq in next few months will slow R&R program

[lebkuchen]

This is typical Bush. Create a phony front for a program, get it going, barely, for a couple of months, and then undermine it, maintaining it only marginally, if at all. (Makes one wonder just how many R & R troops AREN'T returning.)

It's Bush's Christmas present to our troops because, hey, he's a "compassionate conservative."

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=19201


KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Army troops in line for rest and recuperation leave from Iraq will take a back seat during the massive movement of fresh troops into the region in early 2004.

<snip for more Bushie vagueness>

Mitchell said he couldn’t say exactly how many troops will lose out on R&R during the influx of new troops, but he doubts the program will completely stop.

Mark Voorhis, a U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command spokesman, was unable to provide details of the airlift requirements for the massive troop movement by Stars and Stripes’ deadline.