WASHINGTON, May 4 (UPI) -- The United States can start reducing troop numbers in Iraq once a government there has been established, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says.
Speaking to reporters in Washington Thursday after briefing members of Congress on his surprise visit to Iraq last week, Rumsfeld said a gradual reduction of troop numbers from about 130,000 currently depended largely on Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki.
Maliki has 30 days from April 22 to choose his ministers, after which Rumsfeld said he would rely on advice from the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. George Casey, and U.S. Ambassador Zal Khalilzad to determine when to start drawing down troops.
During Rumsfeld's visit to Iraq, Casey said his plan to recommend a troop reduction is basically on track, Voice of America reported.
The final decision on U.S. troop levels will be made by President George W. Bush, but Rumsfeld said Bush would follow his commanders' recommendations.
