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| Afghanistan |
| Petraeus Backs ‘Responsible' Afghanistan Pullout |
| 2010-06-16 |
| U.S. Army General David Petraeus sought to assure lawmakers that he backs President Barack Obama's plan for a drawdown from Afghanistan starting in July 2011 with the pace determined by conditions on the ground. Resuming testimony cut short yesterday when he almost passed out during questioning, Petraeus, 57, told the Senate Armed Services Committee today that the timeline is “not the date when the U.S. heads for the exits.' Obama set the date in December as he announced the addition of 30,000 U.S. troops. “I did believe there was value in sending a message of urgency with July 2011 as well as the message the president was sending of commitment with the additional substantial number of forces,' Petraeus said. “But it is important that July 2011 be seen for what it is, a date when a process begins based on conditions.' |
| Posted by:tipper |