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US to Stall Troop Cuts Over Iraqi Elections

But Baghdad vetoed plan for the ballots earlier this week

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 1, 2008 3:16 PM CST
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(Newser) – US troop cuts in Iraq will stall after July to ensure security for local elections, a Washington official said yesterday. "You can actually increase your own risk if you pull out too many simultaneously," the official said. "This is not a stall tactic." But Baghdad officials nixed plans for the summer ballots this week, highlighting tensions between Baghdad and provincial governments.

If elections stay on schedule, US troop cuts will freeze at 140,000 and last 4 to 6 weeks. "I think before the end of '08, we are going to see additional drawdowns," said the official, who stayed anonymous because Washington will officially change troop plans only after Army Gen. David H. Petraeus talks to President Bush next month, the Los Angeles Times reports.

U.S. Marines raise their hands during a ceremony at Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq, July 4, 2007. A White House source says that troop reductions will halt after July and not continue for several weeks, more if provincial elections are delayed. (AP Photo/Ali al-Saadi, Pool)
U.S. Marines raise their hands during a ceremony at Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq, July 4, 2007. A White House source says that troop reductions will halt after July and not continue for several weeks,...   (Associated Press)
U.S. Army Sgt. Steve Stutzman, 32, from Nappanee, Ind. patrols with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment in Arab Jabour, south of Baghdad, Iraq in this Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008 file photo. Once the draw-down has left about 140,000 troops in Iraq, reductions will halt until after...
U.S. Army Sgt. Steve Stutzman, 32, from Nappanee, Ind. patrols with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment in Arab Jabour, south of Baghdad, Iraq in this Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008 file photo....   (Associated Press)
Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch briefs the media in Baghdad in this June 24, 2007 file photo. The U.S. commander in Iraq told the AP in an interview that the increase in troops, commonly known as the 'surge,' has brought more stability to the country. Tensions have been rising...
Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch briefs the media in Baghdad in this June 24, 2007 file photo. The U.S. commander in Iraq told the AP in an interview that the increase in troops, commonly known as the 'surge,' has...   (Associated Press)
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Even a Democratic president would leave some troops in Iraq
Wall Street Journal

After drawdown, still more troops in Iraq than last year
New York Times

Violence increased in February
AFP

 
Iraq • Pentagon • troop surge • David Petraeus • troop reduction • troop levels • Iraqi elections • Iraq's presidency council • provincial elections

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