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Rumsfeld awaits Iraq cabinet before troop decision

Posted on: Wednesday, 3 May 2006, 17:14 CDT

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Wednesday he expects recommendations from U.S. commanders in Iraq on possible troop cuts sometime after Iraq's cabinet is named, a development expected in the coming weeks.

Rumsfeld, addressing reporters along with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice after briefing U.S. lawmakers on Iraq, reiterated his expectation for reducing the 133,000-strong U.S. force in Iraq, but did not mention specific numbers or dates.

Nuri al-Maliki, the prime minister designate, has said he could have a cabinet line-up ready soon. Maliki has 30 days from April 22 to submit a list to parliament for its approval.

Rumsfeld and Rice visited Baghdad last week and met with Maliki, as well as Army Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad.

Asked about Casey's expected recommendation this spring on troop levels, Rumsfeld said, "They have not appointed their ministries."

"Until their ministers have been appointed and General Casey and Ambassador Zal Khalilzad are able to begin discussions with him (Maliki) and talk about the conditions on the ground and the responsibility being passed over to the Iraqis, I doubt that I would be getting any recommendations from General Casey or General (John) Abizaid (head of U.S. Central Command) on that," Rumsfeld said.

The U.S. military is continuing to turn over responsibility for territory to U.S.-trained Iraqi government security forces. "As we pass over more responsibility, we ought to be able to reduce our forces," Rumsfeld added.

Casey last year forecast a "fairly substantial" reduction in U.S. troops this spring and summer if Iraq's political process goes well and progress is made in developing Iraqi forces, now numbering 250,000.

Casey said last week he was "still on my general timetable" for recommending cuts. The U.S. force has dropped by about 30,000 troops since December.

U.S. defense officials previously have mentioned the possibility of dropping to about 100,000 troops but said other possibilities included a smaller reduction or none at all.

Maliki, a Shi'ite, has said he hopes to announce a government distributing power among Iraq's rival Shi'ites, Sunnis and Kurds.

'HE LIKES ME'

Rice tried to end speculation about friction between her and Rumsfeld, legendary for his bureaucratic infighting.

"I like him," Rice said. "I think he likes me."

Rumsfeld agreed.

Virginia Republican Sen. John Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who has had a strained relationship with Rumsfeld, said "an interesting relationship" between secretaries of defense and state is customary.

"And having witnessed it firsthand myself, I'd say this team is managing that marvelously," Warner said.

Warner has declined to offer words of support for Rumsfeld beyond saying President George W. Bush has the right to the Cabinet he desires. This comes after a handful of retired generals called for Rumsfeld to resign due to arrogance, strategic blunders and disregarding military advice.

Sen. Joseph Biden, a Delaware Democrat, said of Rumsfeld, "I believe if a secret ballot were taken in the United States senate, I don't think he'd get 10 votes."

(Additional reporting by Vicki Allen)

Source: REUTERS

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