U.S. Commander in Afghanistan hints at troops’ evacuation deadline

U.S. Commander in Afghanistan hints at troops’ evacuation deadline

Updated at: 1001 PST, Sunday, November 29, 2009 WASHINGTON: General Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, has told lawmakers that a troop drawdown could begin by 2013, while the White House said it expected U.S. forces out of the country by 2017-2018. McChrystal told a visiting congressional delegation this week that a U.S. troop drawdown could begin by 2013, but the Pentagon has cautioned against setting specific dates for a withdrawal, saying any handover depends on conditions on the ground and no timeframe should be given for this. White spokesman said that the evacuation of forces from Afghanistan would be completed by 2017-2018. On the other hand, U.S. President Barack Obama will soon make a decision regarding sending or otherwise of more troops to Afghanistan.