Gates gives thumbs up to withdrawal plan

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama's timeline for pulling U.S. combat troops from Iraq has flexibility if changes are needed, Pentagon chief Robert Gates said Friday.

"He clearly does not anticipate having to do that," Gates said during a conference call after Obama announced U.S. combat troops would withdraw from Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010. Non-combat forces numbering between 35,000 and 50,000 will remain in Iraq.

"He has balanced the risks of staying longer or coming out sooner and has come out this direction. And I think it is the expectation of all of us involved in that process ... that we will meet these timelines," Gates said.

Obama originally supported a pullout by May 2010, Gates said, but agreed to the August date discussions with military advisers, including U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, who were concerned about pending Iraqi elections, a transition period and security and stability of the country.

Odierno, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, said he believed extending the deadline would address the "sensitive period" after the elections. Petraeus is commander of the U.S. Central Command, which includes Iraq.

Several withdrawal timelines -- 16 months, 19 months and 23 month -- were debated, "weighing the risks involved, the risks of progress with respect to sustaining progress in Iraq, but also issues relating to stress on the force and the need for additional capability in Afghanistan," Gates said.

"I think that General Odierno and General Petraeus are comfortable with the option that the president has decided on," Gates said. "And both the chiefs and as well as the chairman and myself are very supportive of that option, as well."