WASHINGTON - US and coalition force levels in Iraq ought to decline over time as Iraqi security forces become more capable but they will "bulge" during key election periods later this year, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Friday.
Iraqis are due to form a new government, draft a constitution, vote on the constitution in October, and then hold elections in December for a permanent government, Rumsfeld noted.
"And during that period our forces -- total, everybody, coalition and Iraqi -- will undoubtedly bulge somewhat during those key election periods," he told an audience of military and civilian defense employees at the Pentagon.
"But in the aggregate, over time, one would think the non-Iraqi members of the coalition could adjust downward as the capabilities of the Iraqis increase," he said.
Rumsfeld`s remarks came a day after the army`s vice chief of staff said the army expects to reduce the size and change the mix of its force in Iraq in 2006 because of gains stemming from successful January 30 elections and its campaign against insurgents.
Planning for the force rotation was expected to be completed in April, said General Richard Cody, who declined to predict the scope of the reductions.
Rumsfeld was somewhat more cautious, noting that the timing depended on the effectiveness of the Iraqi security forces, which US officials say number over 140,000 but still lack strong command and control, mobility, logistics and combat experience.
General George Casey, the US commander in Iraq, "has been quite impressed with how they`re doing. So over the period ahead we will see some adjustment in numbers," Rumsfeld said.
"But I would be the last person to think I`m smart enough to know what that rate is in which their competence and capabilities will proceed relative to the intensity of the insurgency," he said.
Another factor will be the extent to which Iraqis support their government and provide intelligence against the insurgents, he added.
03/18/2005 16:07 GMT