Lt. Gen Ray Odierno, commander of Multinational Corps - Iraq, and Senator Clinton, talk Saturday, Jan. 13 outside Al Faw Palace. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Curt Cashour, MNC-I Public Affairs)General Holds Doubts On Iraq Deal -- Washington Times
Kurds willing to host U.S. troops after '08
EXCLUSIVE: SAMARRA, Iraq | In a blunt assessment, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, Army Gen. Raymond Odierno, said Thursday that there is a 20 percent to 30 percent chance that the United States and Iraq won't reach a deal to allow U.S. troops to operate in Iraq past Dec. 31.
On a scale of one to 10, "I'm probably a seven or eight that something is going to be worked out," Gen. Odierno told The Washington Times during a visit to the 101st Airborne Division in Samarra, about 120 miles north of Baghdad. "I think it's important for the government of Iraq. I think it's important for security and stability here."
Massoud Barzani, the president of the Kurdish Regional Government, told The Times on Wednesday evening that he would be happy to host U.S. troops if the central government in Baghdad refuses to do so.
"The people of Kurdistan highly appreciate the sacrifices American forces have made for our freedom," Mr. Barzani said at a reception in Washington after meetings with President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
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My Comment: I am not surprised by the Kurds invitation .... if the U.S. accepts it will be a defacto partitioning of Iraq .... a situation that the U.S. does not want.
Will there be an agreement .... probably so .... but with a new President about to assume power in about 11 weeks ..... a lot can change between then and now.