[If the Pentagon were to receive a solid claim that the Koran was desecrated by military personnel,] we would take it quite seriously, ... But we've not seen specific, credible allegations. |
As we have already said, the troop reduction will be based on conditions, and one of the important conditions is this election, which will be the latest in a series of political developments. |
As you continue to either close or turn over these bases, it's just self-evident that there would be some reduced need for the American presence in those areas, |
First of all, we?re not lying. We?re talking about truthful, accurate information, so that?s baloney. |
First of all, we're not lying. We're talking about truthful, accurate information, so that's baloney. |
For the next election (in December), it wouldn't surprise me to see it go right back up to 160,000 again. |
General Casey could determine after the elections that, I want more, for whatever reason, ... and then he'll get more. |
He's presented a variety of alternative approaches that could occur after the election, but again it's all based on waiting to see how it goes and waiting and watching as we continue to hand over responsibility to the Iraqis, |
I think Gen. Casey himself understands the importance of continuity in Iraq. He's working very well with the emerging Iraqi government as well as the U.S. ambassador there. |
I think it's likely he (Casey) will give some kind of an assessment on where we stand post-election and what his thinking is. I can't say that it will include a recommendation. I just don't know that. |
If he can promote from within, or bring somebody in who's been part of the operation in some other capacity, he likes to do that, |
If somebody comes back to me and says there's nothing wrong with the Department of Defense paying journalists, I'll say, 'Even if there's nothing wrong, does it make sense ? |
In July, he had one assessment. He has an assessment now that could still result in what he said earlier, it could result in no change, it could result in more. |
Is there a pattern? Certainly, in recent weeks three helicopters have gone down. Nothing has been ruled in or out in any of those three cases yet. |
Is there a way to define a threshold, or an anticipated threshold, above which a different set of relationships would kick in? ... That's a good question. It's only been two weeks, so don't expect us to have the answers. But those are the kinds of questions we need to be asking. |