Gates plays down report Marines want Iraq exit

Source: reuters

Gates plays down report Marines want Iraq exit

By Andrew Gray 1 hour, 50 minutes ago

LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday played down a newspaper report that the U.S. Marine Corps was pressing to remove its forces from Iraq and switch to a leading role in Afghanistan.

"I have heard that they were beginning to think about that and that's all that I've heard. I've seen no plan, no one's come to me with any proposals about it," Gates told reporters in London after meeting his British counterpart, Des Browne.

The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the Marines' suggestion was raised in a session last week convened by Gates for the U.S. military's Joint Chiefs of Staff and regional war-fighting commanders. It comes at a time when Washington's key ally in Iraq, Britain, is drawing down its presence there.

"My understanding is that it's -- at this point -- extremely preliminary thinking on the part of perhaps some staff people in the Marine Corps but I don't think at this point it has any stature," Gates said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071011/ts_nm/usa_iraq_marines_dc;_ylt=AghDTG0qJtH1UpAFYYaqM8ys0NUE

Actually I think it makes them look smart. They've seen the writing on the wall and they know there is no future in Iraq except for ongoing carnage and want to go somewhere there is at least a chance of getting something accomplished. Unfortunately it leaves the army in a bad position and will ultimately result in the need for a draft to replace the departed Marines with additional soldiers.

in 5 ... 4 ... 3 ....

"U.S. Marine Corps was pressing to remove its forces from Iraq and switch to a leading role in Afghanistan."

Wouldn't that be the smartest move? Solves many issues on many levels....n/t