NEW YORK, March 18 (UPI) -- The vice chief of staff of the U.S. Army said Thursday the United States might begin cutting troop levels in Iraq in 2006.
Gen. Richard Cody told reporters in Washington the number of U.S. forces -- currently around 150,000 -- would remain relatively constant at least through 2005.
In the next rotation of troops, beginning in earnest in mid-2006, it is possible those numbers could drop, if Iraqi security forces are capable of handling the problems posed by the insurgency.
Cody confirmed initial U.S. plans crafted in 2003 envisioned a force of just 20,000 occupiers would be in place by now. However, the insurgency is far more virulent, the Iraqi security forces far less developed and the country's infrastructure far more handicapped than was anticipated when the war began.
Cody did not say how many troops might be withdrawn. The New York Times reported Friday other military leaders suggested troop levels could drop to around 105,000 by early next year.
