Rumsfeld makes surprise visit to Iraq

US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld made an unannounced visit to an air base north of Baghdad today, saying that the new Iraqi government was not yet ready to decide on security issues that would determine the pace of American troop reductions this year.

Speaking to reporters on a flight from Afghanistan, Rumsfeld said the Iraqis were embarked “on a comprehensive review” of their security requirements, as well an effort to reconcile Sunni and Shiite groups to broaden political support for the government.

Asked how long that might take, he said: “I don’t talk deadlines.”

There now are about 129,000 US troops in Iraq and US officials have expressed hope that the total could be reduced to 100,000 by the end of the year, with further cuts in 2007. Rumsfeld’s remarks suggested that the timing and scope of troop cuts was still in doubt.

Rumsfeld was met at his plane by General George Casey, the top American commander in Iraq.

The defence secretary is meeting troops at the air base at Balad and later with Iraqi and US military and civilian officials.