综合一区欧美国产,99国产麻豆免费精品,九九精品黄色录像,亚洲激情青青草,久久亚洲熟妇熟,中文字幕av在线播放,国产一区二区卡,九九久久国产精品,久久精品视频免费

Global General

US has Plan B for slower Iraq exit

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-02-23 06:16
Large Medium Small

WASHINGTON: The top US general in Iraq said Monday he could slow the exit of US combat forces this year if Iraq's politics are chaotic following elections this spring. Gen. Ray Odierno said there are no signs that will be necessary, but he says he has a Plan B and told his superiors about it during Washington meetings over the past week.

US has Plan B for slower Iraq exit
Gen. Raymond Odierno, the top US general in Iraq, gestures during a briefing at the Pentagon, Monday, Feb. 22, 2010. [Agencies]?

The US has about 96,000 troops in Iraq nearly seven years after the American-led invasion that overthrew Saddam Hussein. That's the lowest number of American forces in the country since the invasion.

Under an agreement negotiated under former President George W. Bush, all combat troops are to leave the country by Aug. 31 although some 50,000 will remain behind to help train Iraqi security forces.

Related readings:
US has Plan B for slower Iraq exit Iraq executes Saddam henchman 'Chemical Ali'
US has Plan B for slower Iraq exit China 'agrees to cancel Iraq debt'
US has Plan B for slower Iraq exit US: Key al-Qaida leader killed in Iraq
US has Plan B for slower Iraq exit US Marines' Iraq command ends; Biden in Baghdad

The remaining support troops are to be gone by the end of 2011.

"If you ask me today, I'm fully committed and that's the right course of action," Odierno told reporters at the Pentagon.

However, he noted earlier, "if something happens" between now and late spring — such as problems with the formation of the new Iraqi government following elections next month — the US could slow down the rate of deployments. The US also could speed up the withdrawal if necessary, he said.

When asked whether gays should be allowed to serve openly in the military, Odierno said yes, "as long as we are still able to fight our wars."

His comment was among the first to come from a senior military leader currently leading troops in battle since the Pentagon announced earlier this month that it will study the issue.

Odierno said he hadn't had much time to think about the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy and said it has been a "non-issue" to him.

"That doesn't mean it's right," he said. "All I'm saying is as I've implemented this war now for seven-years, we've been able to get forces out that are ready and prepared to conduct operations.

"My opinion is everyone should be allowed to serve, as long as we're able to fight our wars and we're able to have forces that are capable of doing whatever they are asked to do," he said.

游戏| 宜州市| 濉溪县| 红原县| 福海县| 桐城市| 茌平县| 突泉县| 东丽区| 汉中市| 西昌市| 河津市| 洪江市| 邻水| 临漳县| 泽库县| 乌拉特前旗| 泸定县| 容城县| 巨鹿县| 梨树县| 桐城市| 大洼县| 三河市| 黑水县| 正阳县| 德惠市| 富锦市| 黑山县| 三穗县| 黎川县| 绍兴市| 巴里| 镇安县| 龙川县| 恭城| 西吉县| 天柱县| 湖北省| 宜章县| 河南省|