U.S. troops face ’subtle shift’ in Iraq

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U.S. troops face ’subtle shift’ in Iraq
« Thread Started on Dec 5, 2008, 7:07pm »

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U.S. troops face ’subtle shift’ in Iraq
Posted: 06:23 AM ET
American troops in Iraq should prepare for “a subtle shift” in the way they operate as all missions will need approval from the Iraqi government under the security agreement that take effect at the end of the year, the top U.S. commander told his forces Friday.

Gen. Ray Odierno, in a letter to U.S. military personnel, says they must “steadily reduce our visibility,” but the new rules of engagement will not mean “any reduction in our fundamental ability to protect ourselves.”

“Despite some adjustments to the way we conduct operations, the agreement simply reinforces transitions that are already underway, and I want to emphasize that our overarching principles remain the same,” Odierno wrote.

Iraq’s presidency council Thursday approved the U.S.-Iraq pact — the final step for the agreement to be ratified by the Iraqi government, according to presidency council spokesman Nasir Al-Ani. The pact allows the presence of American troops in Iraq for three more years.