Robert Gates actually said...

The July 2011 date is the date on which we begin to transfer authority and responsibility to Afghan security forces.

Gates discusses the timeline for transferring security responsibilities to Afghan forces.

12/02/2009

More Robert Gates Quotes

I just don't understand how it would be possible for these tribes to want to cede any of that authority to some outside crowd like al Qaeda.

Yes, sir. As several have said--Secretary Clinton and, I think, the President--we would welcome congressional support.

Frankly, I need help from Congress. DOD needs help from Congress.

I acknowledge that I am preoccupied with avoiding mission creep and avoiding having an open-ended, very large-scale American commitment.