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"US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said on many occasions American troops would be willing to remain in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government, now it appears he is willing to commit Americans even without such a request.
A pullout of American troops was set to begin in 2011; Gates however has recently expressed an increased desire to remain in the country well beyond that date.
His message to Iraq is clear – ‘you need us, period.’
In a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the president of the autonomous Kurdistan region, Massud Barzani Gates explained it was time Iraq completed forming its government and invited US military assistance beyond 2011.
It appears an invitation is now less of an option, and more of a requirement.
“My basic message to them is for us to just be present in some areas where they still need help," Gates said. "
"US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said on many occasions American troops would be willing to remain in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government, now it appears he is willing to commit Americans even without such a request.
A pullout of American troops was set to begin in 2011; Gates however has recently expressed an increased desire to remain in the country well beyond that date.
His message to Iraq is clear – ‘you need us, period.’
In a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and the president of the autonomous Kurdistan region, Massud Barzani Gates explained it was time Iraq completed forming its government and invited US military assistance beyond 2011.
It appears an invitation is now less of an option, and more of a requirement.
“My basic message to them is for us to just be present in some areas where they still need help," Gates said. "