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US Troops Will Exit Iraq by 2011: Odierno

Coburn praises Obama; Mexican envoy sounds off at NRA

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 12, 2009 12:03 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The top US commander in Iraq said American combat troops may overstay a June 30 deadline calling for their withdrawal from some Iraqi cities, but will likely exit the country entirely as scheduled by 2011. “I think I feel comfortable with that timeline,” said Gen. Ray Odierno, who praised President Obama on CNN for giving him flexibility on the issue.

Washington put aside partisan squabbles on the Easter Sunday talk show circuit:

  • Tom Coburn may disagree with Obama’s domestic agenda, but the Republican senator applauded his multilateral foreign policy approach on Fox News Sunday, calling it “tremendously positive.”
  • Appearing alongside Coburn, Evan Bayh said his fiscally conservative outlook caused him to be just one of two Dems who voted against Obama’s budget.
  • America’s ambassador to Mexico took aim at the NRA for dismissing figures showing 90% of weapons used by Mexican drug cartels come from the US. Arturo Sarukhan told CBS' Face the Nation that halting the US flow of cash and weapons into Mexico is key.



President Barack Obama is greeted by Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq.
President Barack Obama is greeted by Gen. Ray Odierno, the top U.S. commander in Iraq.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Gen. Ray Odierno said US combat will likely exit Iraq by 2011.
Gen. Ray Odierno said US combat will likely exit Iraq by 2011.   (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)
President Barack Obama is greeted by Gen. Ray Odierno, the top US commander in Iraq, as he arrives in Baghdad, Tuesday, April 7, 2009.
President Barack Obama is greeted by Gen. Ray Odierno, the top US commander in Iraq, as he arrives in Baghdad, Tuesday, April 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Gen. Ray Odierno reacts during an interview in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, March 10, 2009.
Gen. Ray Odierno reacts during an interview in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, March 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)
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Gen. Ray Odierno speaks with CNN about when Odierno expects US trooops will be able to leave Iraq.   (CNN Video)

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troop withdrawal • Tom Coburn • Evan Bayh • 2009 budget • Gen. Ray Odierno

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