WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The disastrous state of the U.S. military is putting the country in strategic peril, a retired U.S. general said on the eve of a showdown between President George W. Bush and Democrats over paying for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Even as he offered a blistering critique of the Pentagon, former Gen. Barry McCaffrey on Tuesday urged Congress to approve Bush's $100 billion funding request for the conflicts, saying that to delay it would be "monumental bad judgment."
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Even as he offered a blistering critique of the Pentagon, former Gen. Barry McCaffrey on Tuesday urged Congress to approve Bush's $100 billion funding request for the conflicts, saying that to delay it would be "monumental bad judgment."
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"We have no option at this point but to give General (David) Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Cocker the tools and timing to do their job," McCaffrey told the Senate Armed Services Committee, referring to the new U.S. commander and ambassador in Iraq.
"If it doesn't work, within a year this Congress is going to pull the plug on the war," said McCaffrey, retired four-star general and former head of the U.S. Southern Command.
Talks are set for Wednesday between the Republican president and congressional leaders. Democrats say there must be a withdrawal timetable for the 49ers Iraq war attached to the money for the troops; Bush says he won't sign a funding bill with a withdrawal deadline attached.
"If it doesn't work, within a year this Congress is going to pull the plug on the war," said McCaffrey, retired four-star general and former head of the U.S. Southern Command.
Talks are set for Wednesday between the Republican president and congressional leaders. Democrats say there must be a withdrawal timetable for the 49ers Iraq war attached to the money for the troops; Bush says he won't sign a funding bill with a withdrawal deadline attached.
posted by G.d'A-L. or HARL or Ori Sapel at 5:19 PM
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