WASHINGTON — The top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, has given his military superiors and Defense Secretary Robert Gates his initial recommendation on when to resume a U.S. troop withdrawal and at what pace, a senior military officer said Friday.
The officer, who spoke to The Associated Press only on condition that he not be identified, said Petraeus was still analyzing the situation and had not yet submitted a final set of recommendations.
That is expected to happen within the next week or so.
The officer would not provide any specifics of Petraeus’ initial recommendation.
Petraeus is widely expected to conclude that the outlook in Iraq has brightened enough in recent months to merit more troop cuts this fall. At Petraeus’ recommendation, President Bush halted the drawdown when the last of five Army brigades, sent in 2007 as reinforcements, pulled out in mid-July; Petraeus wanted time to analyze the impact of losing those five brigades.
His recommendations to Gates and to Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on how to proceed this fall will go to Bush for a final decision, likely in September.
Estimates of how deeply Petraeus would suggest cutting this autumn have generally ranged from one to two combat brigades, or roughly 3,500 to 7,000 troops.
But some recent developments might argue for smaller reductions. That includes the unanticipated pullout of Georgian troops following the invasion of their country by Russia and a delay in holding Iraqi provincial elections.
There currently are 15 combat brigades in Iraq and a total of 146,000 troops, including tens of thousands that perform support, rather than direct combat, functions. The Associated Press
