(Democratic) Lawmaker: July 2011 too soon to start leaving Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

Lawmaker: July 2011 too soon to start leaving Afghanistan
By Les Blumenthal | McClatchy Newspapers
Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2010

WASHINGTON — Just back from a nine-day trip to the world's trouble spots, Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., said Tuesday that despite progress, plans to start reducing U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan next summer are probably unrealistic.

"It will still be a protracted fight, much more protracted than the American people want," Baird said of Afghanistan.

The congressman, who has served 12 years in Congress but is not seeking re-election, visited Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan and the Gaza Strip.

Baird also said that the situation in Iraq remains fragile and that even though the U.S. combat role there has ended it would be a mistake to pull out entirely.

Baird, who met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, said the security in Iraq had improved and the number of terrorists attack is down but still lethal. Fifteen U.S. soldiers have died this year in Iraq, compared with roughly 15 a week in earlier in the war, Baird said.


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