Signs point to U.S., British troop cuts in Iraq: Bush aims to pull soldiers in ’06; Blair admits secret planning to cut forces
MSNBC News Services, Updated: 8:31 p.m. ET July 11, 2005
Both the United States and Britain have indicated they are making plans to reduce the number of troops stationed in Iraq in the next year.
Pentagon officials said Monday it is too early to predict the specific size and timing of major reductions in U.S. troop levels. A similar statement came Monday from Prime Minister Tony Blair's office, which said Britain has not decided to withdraw troops from Iraq, although contingency planning is under way.
A leaked government memorandum shows Britain is considering scaling back its troop presence from 8,500 to 3,000 by the middle of 2006, saving nearly $1 billion annually.
The memo, marked “Secret — U.K. Eyes Only,” and signed by Britain’s Defense Secretary John Reid, also says there is a “strong U.S. military desire for significant force reductions.”
Both the United States and Britain have indicated they are making plans to reduce the number of troops stationed in Iraq in the next year.
Pentagon officials said Monday it is too early to predict the specific size and timing of major reductions in U.S. troop levels. A similar statement came Monday from Prime Minister Tony Blair's office, which said Britain has not decided to withdraw troops from Iraq, although contingency planning is under way.
A leaked government memorandum shows Britain is considering scaling back its troop presence from 8,500 to 3,000 by the middle of 2006, saving nearly $1 billion annually.
The memo, marked “Secret — U.K. Eyes Only,” and signed by Britain’s Defense Secretary John Reid, also says there is a “strong U.S. military desire for significant force reductions.”
posted by Gordon Stables | 7:43 PM
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