Definition: In this task, a passage will be given and the goal is to identify an event from the passage. An event is defined as a single word representing something that happened, is happening, or may happen. An event can be factual or hypothetical, positive or negative, certain or uncertain. While most events are based on verbs, an event can also be based on a noun (ex. storm, snow, rainfall) or a copula verb (is, was, been, etc.). The event must not be a pronoun or an adjective. For noun events with multiple words, use the last word in the phrase as event.
Input: Passage: Iraqi parties have started to make rumblings about a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops in Iraq, currently numbering some 160,000 for the election but expected to drop by 20,000 afterward. Jeffrey repeated the US line that American forces would leave if asked but said, "We don't think that the Iraqi government, or a Iraqi government, will take that step any time in the near future."

drop