Duration of troop surge in Iraq is unclear

[nodular]

latimes.com
By Peter Spiegel, Times Staff Writer
1:51 PM PDT, April 5, 2007

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-ex-gates5apr05,1,7578428.story?track=rss


This completely matches what I said was happening and would continue to happen in my earlier postings on the "surge." As I said before, this schedule slippage and extension of the surge will continue almost right up until the '08 election.


"WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, acknowledging that he was unsure how long the current buildup of U.S. forces in Baghdad would last, said today that it would not be until the middle of summer that commanders would be able to evaluate whether the increase in forces was working.

"In past public statements, Gates has said he hoped to end the increase of 21,500 combat troops by December. But in recent weeks, some senior officers, particularly the Army general in charge of day-to-day operations in Iraq, have suggested that the so-called surge might need to be extended into early next year, a recommendation currently being debated by senior commanders.

"Gates did not directly address the suggestion by Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno to keep force levels at higher levels. He said any decision would depend on progress on the ground.

"'The truth is, I think people don't know right now how long this will last,' Gates told a Pentagon news conference. 'The thinking of those involved in the process was that it would be a period of months, not a period of years or a year and a half or something like that.'"

[orpupilofnature57]

1. So much for a new accountability ,Shrub needs a world of wiggle room.

No reference of any kind can show either success or disclosure in any aspect of this government.

[rgbecker]

2. Go ahead and Join up, My estimation is .......

You'll have plenty of time to get through basic training and AIT and still get to kill innocent Iraqi kids in their bedrooms before the politicians put a stop to it.

[Monkeyman]

3. The Call up he has done does not tell you IRR has been called back to duty

About 20,000 so far. With future call up's coming