英语新闻阅读：奥巴马将发表从阿富汗撤军第一阶段讲话

英语自学网

　　President Barack Obama is set to announce on Wednesday the first phase of a
withdrawal from Afghanistan that could see up to 10,000 U.S. soldiers leave the
country by the end of the year.Defense officials have been quoted as saying that
Mr. Obama will call for an initial withdrawal of 5,000 troops, followed by an
additional 5,000 by the end of 2011.But White House Spokesman Jay Carney warned
against media speculation on Tuesday, saying the president will explain how he
will implement the strategy he outlined in December 2009 on drawing down
American troops.
        　　Mr. Obama announced the July start for the withdrawal in December 2009,
when he presented his overall strategy for Afghanistan at the U.S. military
academy at West Point, New York.In his Wednesday night speech at the White
House, President Obama is also expected to reaffirm the U.S. and NATO commitment
to completely transfer security responsibilities to Afghan forces by 2014. The
United States currently has about 100,000 troops in Afghanistan.U.S. Defense
Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday the president has to take into account
sustainability at home, both in Congress and among the American public, as well
as conditions on the ground in Afghanistan.