Rumsfield on surprise visit
2005-12-22 17:05
Baghdad - Defence secretary Donald H Rumsfeld flew unannounced to Iraq on Thursday to meet with American battlefield commanders and soldiers amid increasing signs the Bush administration is planning new troop cuts.
Flying to Baghdad from Afghanistan in an Air Force cargo plane, Rumsfeld was met at the airport here by general George Casey, the top United States commander in Iraq.
In an in-flight interview, Rumsfeld hinted that the US troop presence would soon be cut below the 138 000 number that has been the standard level for much of 2005. Rumsfeld referred to a plan to cancel the scheduled deployment of two Army brigades.
"Until it's announced, the government's decision hasn't been announced. Therefore it's not final," he cautioned.
Rumsfeld's surprise visit followed one over the weekend by vice-president Dick Cheney.
- AP