White House adviser, contradicting Petraeus, says July 2011 is firm to begin Afghan pullout
By Anne Gearan, APSunday, June 20, 2010
White House: July 2011 Afghan withdrawal ‘firm’
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is reaffirming its pledge to begin pulling U.S. troops out of Afghanistan next summer.
But the Pentagon and the White House are still saying different things about how many troops will leave — and when.
President Barack Obama’s chief of staff tells ABC’s “This Week” that the July 2011 date to begin withdrawal is firm. Emanuel isn’t disputing quoted remarks from Vice President Joe Biden that “a whole lot” of troops would leave.
Gen. David Petraeus, who oversees the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, told Congress last week that he’d recommend putting off the withdrawal if need be. He said security conditions and the Afghan government have to be ready to handle a U.S. drawdown.
