Top U.S. General Says Army 'Stretched'

The top U.S. general in Iraq acknowledged Thursday that American forces in this country are "stretched," but he said he will recommend withdrawals based only on operational needs.

Gen. George Casey told reporters he had discussed the issue with Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker on Wednesday and that the Army chief of staff believes he can still sustain the mission in Iraq.

"The forces are stretched ... and I don't think there's any question of that," Casey said. "But the Army has been for the last several years going through a modernization strategy that will produce more units and more ready units."

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