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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Gates, Jones Split on Afghan Troop Timetable

DoD chief: decision in 'a few weeks'; general says 'no deadline'

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(Newser) – The White House appears slightly out of sync on when exactly it expects to make a decision on troop levels in Afghanistan. "I don't have a deadline in my mind," national security adviser James Jones told Bob Woodward of the Washington Post, adding, "The most important thing is to do it right." Defense Secretary Robert Gates, however, emphasized resolution to the Afghan election and said he expects a decision in “a matter of a few weeks.”

In this Nov. 28, 2008 file photo, retired Marine Corps Gen. James Jones stands by at the State Department in Washington.
In this Nov. 28, 2008 file photo, retired Marine Corps Gen. James Jones stands by at the State Department in Washington.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
In this Sept. 6, 2007 file photo, retired Marine Corps Gen. James Jones testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
In this Sept. 6, 2007 file photo, retired Marine Corps Gen. James Jones testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.   (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, File)
Defense Robert Gates meets with reporters at the Pentagon, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009.
Defense Robert Gates meets with reporters at the Pentagon, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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9 comments
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Cat-Lover
Sep 27, 09 3:15 PM CDT
I just looked at the two photos of Jones and the one of Gates, and I don't trust Jones. I'm not quite sure of Gates, but Jones looks like he like war to war's sake. Ya dig? Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Sep 27, 09 3:27 PM CDT
Jones is Marine that is who and what he does but he follows orders as all the men and women who serve. He will take what is handed and perform as requested. Gate? Politician and in the end he also will do as directed after advising, each follows their nature but a Marine serves and leads his or her troops as ordered to do till the very and sometimes bitter end.
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IN RESPONSE:
Cat-Lover
Sep 27, 09 4:36 PM CDT
So? I still don't trust him. Why would a person choose to become a Marine in the first place, in the 70's - while we were fighting in a bogus war? I don't trust him!
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Stasis
Sep 27, 09 4:15 PM CDT
Freedumb and democracy! Dee-de-dee! Reply
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0
yoeydude
Sep 27, 09 6:36 PM CDT
this whole endeavor is going to test our will like nothing we've seen since Vietnam , its the proverbial irresistible force meets the immovable obstacle ,.... democracy cannot be the goal ,.... simple containment may be all we can hope for ,.... that and the continued integrity of Pakistan ,.... thats all Reply
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