As Election Day Grows Nearer, Senior U.S. Commander Predicts Possible Troop Reductions in Iraq in Coming Months

ABC News
U.S. Gen. Sees Possible Troop Reductions
Senior U.S. Commander Predicts Possible Troop Reductions in Iraq in Coming Months
By NEDRA PICKLER
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The top U.S. commander in Iraq predicted Sunday that coalition troops gradually will return home in the months ahead as long as Iraq's government and security forces keep progressing.

Gen. George Casey would not say whether he will recommend a troop reduction plan during videoconference meetings with President Bush this week. Bush says he will make decisions about troop levels based on recommendations from commanders in Iraq, and Casey said he constantly evaluates the appropriate number necessary.

"I was waiting until we got a government seated before I gave the president another recommendation so we have some sense of what we've got," Casey said.

Iraq's new government is in place, with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki taking office last month and appointing key ministers last week.

"I think as long as the Iraqi security forces continue to progress and as long as this national unity government continues to operate that way and move the country forward, I think we're going to be able to see continued gradual reductions of coalition forces over the coming months and into next year," Casey said on "Face the Nation" on CBS.

With Baghdad's government in place, Bush plans to re-evaluate his Iraq policy this week with members of his national security team, along with Casey and other military commanders participating via videoconference.

Bush also plans to hear from outside experts and top ministers in Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's new government, participating via video from Baghdad.

White House officials have played down expectations of troop cutback announcements coming from the discussions, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at Camp David.

Bush says he will make decisions about troops levels based on recommendations from Casey and other military commanders in Iraq. Although Casey said "it's not likely" that he would request more troops during the discussions, he did not rule out bringing in more to help secure Baghdad in the future.

"Right now we're not planning on it, but it's possible," Casey told "Fox News Sunday."

"I constantly evaluate the situation," Casey told Fox. "And if I think I need more, I'll ask for more. If I think I need less, I'll tell the president that I need less."