Iraq faces major US pullout

2005-08-07 08:21

Washington - In a classified briefing to senior Pentagon officials last month, the top American commander in the Middle East outlined a plan that would gradually reduce American forces in Iraq by perhaps 20 000 to 30 000 troops in the first half of next year, The New York Times reported on its website late on Saturday.

Citing unnamed senior military officers and defence department officials, the newspaper said the assessment by general John Abizaid, head of the Central Command, follows a statement made last week by the top American general in Iraq, General George Casey.

According to Casey the Pentagon could make "some fairly substantial reductions" in troops by next spring and summer, if the political process in Iraq remained on track and Iraqi forces assumed more responsibility for securing the country.

Together, the generals' appraisals offer some of the most concrete indications yet that the Pentagon is moving toward reducing American forces in Iraq, the report said.

They also reflect the Bush administration's growing concerns over how the country's involvement in Iraq is influencing domestic considerations.

In his assessment, given as part of a larger regional analysis, General Abizaid has also warned that it is possible that the Pentagon might have to keep the current levels of about 138 000 American soldiers in Iraq throughout 2006 if security and political trends are unfavorable for a withdrawal, The Times said.

The number of troops will temporarily increase this December to provide security for Iraqi elections. And some troops leaving Iraq could be held in Kuwait as a reserve force, the paper reported.

It said senior administration and Pentagon officials, as well as political leaders in both parties, say there is mounting anxiety over the five-billion-a-month cost of the war, an overtaxed military, dismal recruiting in the Army and National Guard, dwindling public support for the operation, and a steadily growing number of casualties.

- SAPA