Joint Chiefs to give own view on Iraq troop cuts

Mullen flies to El Salvador
Before Bush accepted Petraeus’ recommendation last September, the Joint Chiefs presented their own view. Mullen, who was then a member of the Joint Chiefs as head of the Navy, said Friday that “there were some differences” among the service chiefs last time around, “but we worked them out.”

In the current makeup of the Joint Chiefs, two of them commanded troops earlier in the Iraq war — the Marine Corps commandant, Gen. James Conway, and the Army chief of staff, Gen. George Casey. The Air Force chief, Gen. Michael Moseley, directed the initial air war in Iraq from a post in Qatar as chief of Central Command air forces.

Mullen made his remarks in an interview with three reporters flying with him to San Salvador from Bogota, Colombia, where he had met with top Colombian defense officials to discuss their war against rebel forces.

On his El Salvador visit, Mullen was making a special point of thanking the government for its steady support in Iraq. El Salvador is now the only Latin American country with troops in Iraq. It has rotated units, ranging from 280 to 380 soldiers each, into Iraq since 2003 and is preparing to send a fresh contingent of 280 next month.

Mullen was flying by helicopter to a military base at San Juan Opica, west of the capital, to meet with the soldiers preparing to go to Iraq.

More from msnbc.com Black workers' crisis may linger after upturn Afghan scouts learn to ‘be prepared!’ First Read: Obama faces 'historic week' Scoop: Some aren’t surprised by Tiger Woods mess Share pics of your decorated Christmas tree On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM MIDEAST & N. AFRICA

Mideast & N. Africa Section Front

Outgoing IAEA chief leaves complex legacy Mideast markets nosedive amid Dubai woes Key adviser: U.S. did not expect to stabilize Iraq Iran holds yacht with 5 U.K. nationals   Muslim women search for a space at hajj   Experts: Iran enrichment plans largely bluster Mideast & N. Africa Section Front   Add Mideast & N. Africa headlines to your news reader: