Gates can increase the number by 10 percent, or 3,000 troops, without additional White House approval or announcement, the official said, adding that “this authority is designed to give him the flexibility to better manage the force and provide the commander with additional resources.”
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A senior military official said that the final number could go as high as 35,000 to allow for additional support personnel such as engineers, medevac units and route-clearance teams, which comb roads for bombs. Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss understandings between the Pentagon and the White House.
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