U.S. may add troops for Iraqi elections?

Chris Vancil — 10/27/2004 10:21:22 AM (archived)

Wednesday, October 27, 2004
STAR-LEDGER WIRE SERVICES

WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon is considering delaying the departure of some troops in Iraq and speeding the arrival of others already due to deploy to boost force levels for the January elections, U.S. officials said yesterday.

No final decisions have been made on whether or how to increase the U.S. contingent from the current 138,000 to guard against violence intended to derail the Iraq election, defense officials said.

Possibilities include delaying the upcoming departure of the Army's 1st Infantry Division or 1st Cavalry Division from Iraq, and accelerating the deployment of elements of the 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Stewart in Georgia, perhaps a 5,000-strong brigade, officials said.

"I think they're definitely going to extend some guys," said an Army official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official added that he did not expect any announcement until sometime after next week's election.

The rest is here: The Star Ledger

The whole thread (5 posts)

U.S. may add troops for Iraqi elections? - Chris Vancil - 10/27/2004 10:21:22 AM
- It worked well in Afghanistan. Why not in Iraq? (n/t) - ebnelson - 10/27/2004 2:00:58 PM
  - At least in Afghanistan the US controls the entire capital, if nothing else. - Bowser - 10/27/2004 4:24:14 PM
    - Baghdad is a huge part of Iraq's population. - ebnelson - 10/27/2004 11:41:24 PM
      - And the Green Zone is a little itsy bitsy part of that. (n/t) - Bowser - 10/28/2004 12:38:26 AM

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