Terri
08-24-2007, 07:20 AM
By ROBERT BURNS and LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press
August 24, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Army's top civilian leader said Thursday he sees ''no possibility'' of extending soldiers' 15-month Iraq tours, reflecting concern about mounting strains on soldiers and their families as well as an emerging expectation that the troop buildup in Iraq can be reversed next year.
In an Associated Press interview, Army Secretary Pete Geren said that regardless of near-term changes in Iraq, the Army must find new ways to adjust to the pressures of engaging in a global war against extremism, which he described as a ''persistent conflict'' that could last two decades.
''Persistent conflict is a given,'' he said in his first extensive interview since becoming Army secretary in July.
More (http://www.gopusa.com/news/2007/august/0824_iraq_tours1.sht ml)
Associated Press
August 24, 2007
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Army's top civilian leader said Thursday he sees ''no possibility'' of extending soldiers' 15-month Iraq tours, reflecting concern about mounting strains on soldiers and their families as well as an emerging expectation that the troop buildup in Iraq can be reversed next year.
In an Associated Press interview, Army Secretary Pete Geren said that regardless of near-term changes in Iraq, the Army must find new ways to adjust to the pressures of engaging in a global war against extremism, which he described as a ''persistent conflict'' that could last two decades.
''Persistent conflict is a given,'' he said in his first extensive interview since becoming Army secretary in July.
More (http://www.gopusa.com/news/2007/august/0824_iraq_tours1.sht ml)