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October 21, 2009

US General Warns of Delayed Iraq Withdrawal
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The top US military commander in Iraq is warning the Obama
administration could delay its pledge to withdraw all US troops by the
end of 2011. Speaking to the Times of London, General Ray Odierno said
the US could stay longer if Iraq fails to hold national elections early
next year. The US has been pressuring Iraq to hold the election while
also lobbying against a proposed referendum on whether to approve the
US-Iraqi Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA. The agreement calls for a
US withdrawal by the end of 2011. But if Iraqis reject the timetable, US
troops would be forced to leave nearly a year earlier.



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