Thursday, December 21, 2006
Abizaid to retire in early 2007
General John Abizaid, commander of US forces in the Middle East, said Wednesday he plans to retire from the military in the first half of 2007 but brushed off suggestions he is leaving under pressure. Asked about reports suggesting his departure was precipitous, Abizaid said he had planned to retire in the spring of 2007. Abizaid’s departure follows Donald Rumsfeld’s departure Friday after six controversial years as US defence secretary. Pentagon spokesman Gary Arasin said Rumsfeld had asked Abizaid earlier this year to remain on his post until the beginning of 2007. Abizaid, 55, took over command of the US Central Command from General Tommy Franks after the March 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. The US press had been forecasting changes in the US top brass as President George W. Bush’ prepares to announce a new Iraq strategy in January. Besides Abizaid, they mentioned Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Peter Pace.
The Washington Post said top US military leaders are against a Bush plan to increase US troop presence in Iraq by 15,000-30,000 for a period of less than eight months, because their mission is unclear. Abizaid on Wednesday said he was “not necessarily opposed to the idea, but what I want to see happen is ... if we do bring more American troops here, they help us progress toward our strategic objectives.” At a congressional hearing last month, Abizaid said boosting US troop numbers was not the solution to Iraq’s problems, but was also against a gradual drawdown of US forces from the region.
The Washington Post said top US military leaders are against a Bush plan to increase US troop presence in Iraq by 15,000-30,000 for a period of less than eight months, because their mission is unclear. Abizaid on Wednesday said he was “not necessarily opposed to the idea, but what I want to see happen is ... if we do bring more American troops here, they help us progress toward our strategic objectives.” At a congressional hearing last month, Abizaid said boosting US troop numbers was not the solution to Iraq’s problems, but was also against a gradual drawdown of US forces from the region.
