Afghan drawdown allows enough time: Gates

Defense secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday endorsed President Barack Obama's decision to withdraw 33,000 troops from Afghanistan by the summer of 2012, saying it would gave commanders enough time to succeed.

Defense secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday endorsed President Barack Obama's decision to withdraw 33,000 troops from Afghanistan by the summer of 2012, saying it would gave commanders enough time to succeed.

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"I support the president's decision because it provides our commanders with enough resources, time and, perhaps most importantly, flexibility to bring the surge to a successful conclusion," Gates said in a statement issued after Obama announced his plan.