Rice hints at Iraq troop withdrawal

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today said the US could withdraw a significant number of troops from Iraq this year – if Iraqi forces are able to assume greater control of the country’s security.

“I think it’s entirely probable that we will see a significant drawdown of American forces over the next year…it’s all dependent on events on the ground,” the chief American diplomat said.

There are now about 133,000 American troops in Iraq. Military officials have expressed hope they can reduce the number below 100,000 by the end of the year.

Rice, on NBC’s “Meet the Press”, noted that Gen George Casey, the top commander in Iraq, “has talked about a significant reduction of American forces over the next year. And that significant reduction is because Iraqi forces are taking and holding territory now”.

Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said last week he did anticipate a drawdown of US troops this year “because we think the government will be formed, it will meet with reasonable acceptance,” and Iraqi security forces will perform well.

The military is carrying out plans announced by Rumsfeld in December to cut troop levels this year by up to 7,000 soldiers by cancelling the planned deployment of two Army brigades. Further cuts are being debated.

Military leaders have said a drawdown of US troops cannot be done until Iraqi soldiers display enough mettle to take on insurgents – as well as loyalty to a civilian government that represents Iraq's major groups: Sunni Arabs, Shiites and Kurds.