WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said all 21,500 troops involved in the Iraq "surge" would be provided if Lt. Gen. David Petraeus wants them.
Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace suggested to the Senate Armed Services Committee two weeks ago that the troops would be moved into Baghdad in phases, offering the opportunity to cut off the additional forces if the Iraqi government does not provide its additional troops or make the promised changes in the political and economic arenas.
"All of the circumstances related to troops will depend on the situation on the ground," Gates told reporters in a Pentagon meeting Friday. "As long as (Petraeus) feels he needs them they are all going to flow."
Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee this week that he needs every single Marine and soldier, and he needs them sooner rather than later. The current schedule has the final surge unit arriving in Baghdad in May.
"We're going to see if the timetable for dispatching them can be accelerated," Gates said. "There are simply some logistical constraints that make it difficult to do a lot."
Gates said he is not providing commanders a "blank check" but said he is encouraging commanders to be honest about their requirements.
"I hope to create an environment in which commanders feel open to requesting what they need," he said.
