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| Iraq | ||
| Gates: U.S. Could Stay in Iraq | ||
| 2010-11-10 | ||
| BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates on Tuesday said Washington was open to keeping troops in Iraq beyond a 2011 deadline, but it was up to Baghdad to make a request, according to AFP. "In terms of the future strategic relationship beyond the end of 2011, I would say that the initiative clearly needs to come from the Iraqis," Gates said at a press conference. "We are open to discussing it," he said. Gates, however, said any talks on the issue would have to wait until Iraqi leaders agree a power-sharing deal and name key ministers, amid months of stalemate following parliamentary elections. "We'll stand by and we're ready to have that discussion if and when they want to raise it with us," he said. A security accord requires all U.S. troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of 2011, but officials in both countries have suggested a smaller US mission will probably stay on after next year to provide air power and other military assistance.
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| Posted by:Steve White |
| #2 We just built a huge base, of course we are staying. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2010-11-10 08:58 |
| #1 The fierce moral urgency of more of the same, in spades. |
| Posted by: Grunter 2010-11-10 07:51 |