US Commander in Iraq Warns of Threat to Pull Out... of Withdrawal

US Commander in Iraq Warns of Threat to Pull Out... of Withdrawal
General Ray Odierno, the US commander in Iraq, has warned that a delay to the country's elections in January could derail President Barack Obama's withdrawal timetable for troops.
by Oliver August | Common Dreams

President Obama's pledge to withdraw US troops from Iraq and end combat operations there by September 2010 is under threat because of increased levels of violence and bickering within the Iraqi parliament, the top US general in the country has told The Times.

General Ray Odierno said that militant groups were likely to conduct a bloody campaign in the months ahead, as Iraqis prepare for national elections at the beginning of next year.

"It's clear that al-Qaeda and other groups do not want the elections to occur," he said in an interview. "What I think they will try to do is discourage people from voting by undermining the authority of the Government of Iraq with attacks, so that people lose faith in the democratic process." Read more.