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US military chief travels to Middle East
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-29 09:11
America's top military leader opened a weeklong holiday trip to the Middle
East on Wednesday, applauding U.S. troops for their fight against terror just
days after the Bush administration announced new troop cuts in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also held talks
with Gen. John Abizaid and other senior officers during his one-day stay in this
key U.S. ally åK½ï¿½ his first official overseas visit since taking the post three
months ago.
"This year has been an incredible one in the war on terrorism, and it's
because of what you do," he said in a pep talk to hundreds of American forces
following a show featuring American Idol finalist Diana DeGarmo at an air base
near Doha, Qatar.
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter
Pace speaks at the National Defense University at Ft. McNair in
Washington, DC. [AFP/file] | Airmen at the base said they did not expect the troop reduction to affect
them in the near term, but they welcomed last week's Pentagon announcement as a
step toward restoring peace in Iraq.
"I think it would be great," said John Batty, 31, a pilot from Kingsford,
Mich. "Less people would have to come over and the Iraqis could take care of
themselves, and that's what it's all about."
Christian Burbach, 32, an Air Force weapons systems officer from Great Falls,
Va., said he was optimistic the troop reductions would take place. But he was
doubtful they would affect airmen like himself who fly daily support missions
over Iraq.
"I think we'll still be here supporting the troops on the ground," Burbach
said. "It gives me pride to be able to help those guys."
On Friday, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said during a surprise visit
to Iraq that President Bush has authorized the reduction of U.S. combat troops
there to below the 138,000 level that held for most of this year. Rumsfeld did
not reveal the exact size of the troop cut, but senior Pentagon officials have
said the number of American troops in Iraq could drop to about 100,000 by next
fall.
Also last week, Rumsfeld ordered the number of troops in Afghanistan to be
cut from 19,000 to about 16,500 by next spring, while cautioning that removing
forces too quickly would impede the long-term hunt for terrorists.
Pace åK½ï¿½ the first Marine to serve as chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff,
making him the main military adviser to Bush and Rumsfeld åK½ï¿½ did not comment on
the troop reductions during his address Wednesday. But he said earlier this week
that American units will steadily hand over more security duties to Iraqi forces
in the coming months.
In those comments, he stressed that the U.S. military needs to be flexible
enough to increase or decrease forces depending on security conditions on the
ground, political developments and the ability of Iraqi soldiers and police to
assume greater responsibility.
Pace, who was traveling with his wife, Lynne, also planned stops in Bahrain,
the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Afghanistan and the East African nation
Djibouti.
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