right: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Sen. Charles Schumer and Sen. Patty Murray
OBAMA PLAN TO LEAVE 50,000 TROOPS IN IRAQ
"I
don't know what the justification is for the presence of
50,000 troops in Iraq," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
"I do think that there's a need for some. But I don't
think that all of them have to be in country. They can
be platformed outside. ... I would think a third of
that, maybe 20,000 ... 15 or 20,000."
"After years of failed Iraq policies, I am pleased by reports that President Obama plans to significantly reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq by August 2010," said Sen Russ Feingold. "Our presence in Iraq has cost thousands of American and Iraqi lives, overburdened our military, fueled anti-Americanism and distracted us from the global threat posed by al Qaeda. I am concerned, however, by reports that tens of thousands of U.S. troops may remain in Iraq beyond August 2010. I question whether such a large force is needed to combat any al Qaeda affiliates in Iraq or whether it will contribute to stability in the region."
"I have been one who has called for significant cutbacks in Iraq for some time, "Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid commented. "And I am happy to listen to the secretary of defense, the president, but when they talk about 50,000, that's a little higher number than I had anticipated."
"It (withdrawal) has to be done responsibly, we all agree," Sen. Chuck Schumer said, "but 50,000 is more than I would have thought."
"I want to hear what the president has to say, Sen. Patty Murray opined, "... but I do think we have to look carefully at the number that are there and do it as quickly as we can."
White House to host members of Congress to build support for keeping 50,000 in Iraq by Rachel Oswald
February 26, 2009
President Obama
took steps today to bolster support for his as yet
unofficially announced troop withdrawal plan that would
leave up to 50,000 troops in Iraq by inviting a small
group of Congressional leaders over to the White House
for a Thursday briefing.
A senior Congressional aide told Raw Story that the
members of Congress would be informed of "the totality
of his plans" prior to Obama's speech on Iraq tomorrow
and would be briefed this afternoon. The staffer
declined to identify specific members, having not been
authorized to speak publicly about the issue.
With the news that the president will likely propose
leaving up to 50,000 observer troops in Iraq past the
withdrawal of all other American forces, some members of
Congress are still making up their minds about the plan,
while others, like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have
questioned the prudence of maintaining such a large
American force.
In a Wednesday appearance on MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow
Show, Pelosi spoke disapprovingly of the high troop
number.
Prominent Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) also
appeared only conditionally supportive of Obama's plan
in a statement Thursday.
Others are reserving judgment.
"I trust that the president carefully considered the
recommendations of his military commanders," Sen. Saxby
Chambliss (R-Ga.) said in comments provided to Raw
Story. "If they firmly believe that a withdrawal of most
combat troops within 19 months is prudent, then I could
support that decision."
"However, I have not heard from them in detail on this
issue, so I can't comment on that specific
recommendation," Chambliss added. "My position has
always been that we should not stay in Iraq a day longer
than necessary, but we should stay until the Iraqi
government can effectively provide for the safety,
security and well-being of its people without a large
U.S. presence."
Correction: An earlier version of this article said
the meeting would take place on Wednesday. It is
actually scheduled for today.
U.S.-LED COALITION KILLS 13 AFGHAN CIVILIANS
February 21, 2009
-
Military operation kills 13 civilians,
three militants, U.S. says
-
Coalition offers condolences, helps
identify victims
-
Weapons and ammunition found at site of
attack
- Afghan president has expressed dismay, anger over civilian casualties
KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Thirteen people, described by the U.S. military as "noncombatants," were killed in western Afghanistan earlier this week during a coalition operation, the military said Saturday.
Three militants also died in Tuesday's operation in the Gozara district of Herat province, the military said.
Many civilians also die in the crossfire between coalition forces and Taliban militants.
Afghan and coalition investigators and international observers this week were in Herat this week. Weapons and ammunition were found at the site of the operation and Afghan soldiers held shuras, or consultative bodies, with village leaders.
Ryan discussed the attack with senior police and army officials and with the governor of Herat.
"Our inquiry in Herat demonstrates how seriously we take our responsibility in conducting operations against militant targets and the occurrence of noncombatant casualties," Ryan said.
"Our concern is for the security of the Afghan people. To this end, we continually evaluate the operations we conduct during the course of our mission in Afghanistan and have agreed to coordinate our efforts jointly."
A "recent consensus between the Afghan government and NATO, which gives more authority to the Afghan security forces during military operations, house searches and detention of suspected individuals, will help in reducing civilian casualties and bringing more effectiveness in the fight against terrorism," Karzai said.
