WASHINGTON - February 19 - In a new report released today by the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, Lieutenant General Robert Gard and Colonel Richard Klass outline how President Obama can responsibly execute his campaign commitment to remove U.S. combat forces from Iraq within 16 months.

Based on recent press reports, there is reason to suspect that there may be an effort underway, led by some military officials and non-governmental analysts, to delay President Obama's 16-month timetable.

Read the full report online.

"Our national security would be enhanced by implementing President Obama's 16-month timetable," said retired Army Lt. Gen. Robert Gard. "President Obama's plan to remove combat forces from Iraq is militarily workable and can be executed responsibly."

Gard serves as chairman of the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation and is a former president of both National Defense University and the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

The report proposes a U.S. redeployment schedule that would result in 100,000 total U.S. troops remaining in Iraq by the end of 2009; 35,000 to 65,000 support troops remaining in Iraq by July 2010, when the President's 16-month timetable would end if it is initiated in April 2009; and fewer than 1,000 troops remaining by December 2011, when the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement (commonly referred to as the status of forces agreement or "SOFA") mandates that all U.S. forces be out of Iraq.

"This plan meets President Obama's criteria of being as careful getting out as we were careless going in," said retired Air Force Col. Richard Klass. "Redeployment of U.S. combat forces should be coupled with a diplomatic surge to help stabilize Iraq."

Klass serves as president of the Veterans Alliance for Security and Democracy and is affiliated with the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation's Military Outreach Program.

Read the full report online.