Was Iraq the Model correct...

… in its post yesterday, which theorized the Arab League conference in Cairo Monday calling for a timetable for a US troop withdrawal had actually been pre-negotiated with the US administration? The announcement today by Condoleeza Rice (via AP) would seem to confirm that.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the United States will probably not need to maintain its current troop levels in Iraq “very much longer,” though she declined to provide a precise timetable for reduction in U.S. forces.

Rice appeared to set the stage for such a reduction, saying the Iraqi forces are doing a better job of holding their own against insurgents.