Word: gateses
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Gates told reporters "there is at least some chance of a modest acceleration" in the pace of U.S. troop withdrawal.
Before leaving Iraq, Gates warned squabbling Kurds and Iraqi Arabs that they don't have much time to settle their differences and offered to help mediate before American forces leave.
Gates talked with Kurdish President Massoud Barzani and other leaders on their home ground in the Kurds' oil-rich, self-ruled area. "We urged them to take advantage of our remaining time in Iraq to settle some of these disputed issues," Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told reporters. (Read "With U.S...
Gates "reminded his host that we have all sacrificed too much in blood and treasure to see the gains of the last few years lost due to political differences," Morrell said.
The relatively affluent, peaceful Kurdish North is feuding with al-Maliki's government over its borders and resources. Gates met with Barzani, who claimed victory in a re-election vote last weekend that also saw large gains by an opposition slate, in Irbil, seat of the regional government.