While the former interim Prime Minister says Iraq is on the verge of civil
war and 40 are killed by suicide bombers at recruiting stations; a British
memo says Bush and Blair planning to cut troops by 100,000 next year.
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war and 40 are killed by suicide bombers at recruiting stations; a British
memo says Bush and Blair planning to cut troops by 100,000 next year.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/10/AR2005071000725.html
" LONDON, July 10 -- The United States and Britain are drawing up plans to
withdraw the majority of their troops from Iraq by the middle of next year,
according to a secret memo written for British Prime Minister Tony Blair by
Defense Secretary John Reid.
The paper, which is marked "Secret -- UK Eyes Only," said "emerging U.S.
plans assume that 14 out of 18 provinces could be handed over to Iraqi
control by early 2006," allowing a reduction in overall U.S.-led forces in
Iraq to 66,000 troops. The troop level is now about 160,000, including
138,000 American troops, according to a military spokesperson in Baghdad...."
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