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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Petraeus mulls Iraq troop pullout | Petraeus mulls Iraq troop pullout |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The most senior US commander in Iraq is considering cutting soldier numbers by about 4,000, media reports say. | The most senior US commander in Iraq is considering cutting soldier numbers by about 4,000, media reports say. |
| General David Petraeus may withdraw one brigade if it does not threaten "recent gains" made by US forces since the troop surge, senior US officials say. | General David Petraeus may withdraw one brigade if it does not threaten "recent gains" made by US forces since the troop surge, senior US officials say. |
| He will discuss possible further force cuts to come later in 2008 in his assessment on US military strategy in Iraq in Congress next week. | He will discuss possible further force cuts to come later in 2008 in his assessment on US military strategy in Iraq in Congress next week. |
| A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge. | A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge. |
| 'Risk averse' | 'Risk averse' |
| Gen Petraeus has told President George W Bush that he wants troop levels in Iraq to remain high to maintain recent gains in areas such as Anbar province, the US government and military officials told the New York Times. | Gen Petraeus has told President George W Bush that he wants troop levels in Iraq to remain high to maintain recent gains in areas such as Anbar province, the US government and military officials told the New York Times. |
| He "is worried about risk, and all things being equal he'd like to keep as much as he could for as long as he could", a senior military officer told the newspaper. | He "is worried about risk, and all things being equal he'd like to keep as much as he could for as long as he could", a senior military officer told the newspaper. |
| Most 'want Iraq pull-out' class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6984210.stm">Iraq progress reports | |
| The administration's clear hope is that the promise of some reductions will be enough to ease pressure for deeper cuts, correspondents say. | The administration's clear hope is that the promise of some reductions will be enough to ease pressure for deeper cuts, correspondents say. |
| Democrats in Congress have long been pushing for a reduction in troop numbers in Iraq. | Democrats in Congress have long been pushing for a reduction in troop numbers in Iraq. |
| On Thursday they seized on a report from a key US security commission recommending a cut in troop numbers by early 2008. | On Thursday they seized on a report from a key US security commission recommending a cut in troop numbers by early 2008. |
| Mr Bush, who decides on troop numbers in Iraq, has said he will follow advice from commanders on the ground, rather than bowing to political pressure, to make his decision. | Mr Bush, who decides on troop numbers in Iraq, has said he will follow advice from commanders on the ground, rather than bowing to political pressure, to make his decision. |
| Correspondents say next week will be critical, with the debate building on whether US troops should stay or leave. | Correspondents say next week will be critical, with the debate building on whether US troops should stay or leave. |
| Officials say a reduction in troop numbers early next year would not take levels below the pre-surge total of 130,000 soldiers. | Officials say a reduction in troop numbers early next year would not take levels below the pre-surge total of 130,000 soldiers. |
| The troop surge started in February 2007 and was completed in mid-June. | The troop surge started in February 2007 and was completed in mid-June. |
| Meanwhile, a BBC poll suggests that most people across the world believe US-led forces should withdraw from Iraq within a year. | Meanwhile, a BBC poll suggests that most people across the world believe US-led forces should withdraw from Iraq within a year. |
| Some 39% of people in 22 countries said troops should leave now, with 28% backing a gradual pull-out. Just 23% wanted them to stay until Iraq was safe. | Some 39% of people in 22 countries said troops should leave now, with 28% backing a gradual pull-out. Just 23% wanted them to stay until Iraq was safe. |