Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Petraeus - surge is meeting objectives
(Al Jazeera) - General David Petraeus, the top American commander in Iraq, has told the US congress the military "surge" in Iraq is "meeting military objectives" and predicted a reduction in troop numbers by next summer. He said a gradual reduction of US troops could begin as early as this month, with troop numbers returning to the "pre-surge level" by July.
His testimony came eight months after the US sent 30,000 extra troops to the country and was backed up by Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador to Iraq, who said a secure stable Iraq was attainable. The hearing on Capitol Hill on Monday was repeatedly disrupted by anti-war protesters. Later this week the White House is due to release an official report on the "surge" strategy, which will include Monday's testimony.
Petraeus recommended that US forces be reduced by 4,000 troops in December with more to follow next year that would bring the total number back to "pre-surge" levels by the Summer of 2008. "I believe that we will be able to reduce our forces to the pre-surge level ... by next summer without jeopardising the security gains we have fought so hard to achieve."He said that a "premature drawdown of our forces would likely have devastating consequences".Civilian fatalities
Petraeus said that the security situation had improved, particularly in the Western province of Anbar, but acknowledged that the number of civilian deaths was still too high and of "obvious concern". As he was addressing congress, there were reports from the military that nine US soldiers had been killed in Iraq, including seven personnel in a vehicle accident in western Baghdad.
Testifying alongside Petraeus, the US ambassador to Iraq said that although he could not guarantee "success" in Iraq, he believed "it is still possible to achieve a stable, democratic Iraq at peace with its neighbours". But Crocker warned it would be slow coming and said a new Iraq had to be built "from scratch". Crocker also said that Iran "will be a winner" if the US leaves Iraq by consolidating the country's influence over the country and its resources.
"The military objectives of the surge are being met." "I believe that we will be able to reduce our troop presence to pre-surge levels by next summer." "The level of civilian deaths is clearly still too high and continues to be of serious concern." "In Baghdad, 'ethno-sectarian' deaths are down 80 per cent since December." "The change in the security situation in Anbar province has been particularly dramatic." "The number of high-profile attacks is still too high.""Al-Qaeda is still not defeated. However, it is off balance and we are pursuing its leaders aggressively." "Iran seeks to fight a proxy war in Iraq."
Addressing congress before Petraeus' testimony, Tom Lantos, a senior Democrat, described the Bush administration's policy in Iraq as "myopic". "The majority of this congress and the American people want our troops out," he said. "The administration's myopic policy in Iraq have created a fiasco."George Bush, the US president, has repeatedly asked for congress and the American people to listen to the evidence in the hearing before making any judgments on his administration's strategy in Iraq.
His testimony came eight months after the US sent 30,000 extra troops to the country and was backed up by Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador to Iraq, who said a secure stable Iraq was attainable. The hearing on Capitol Hill on Monday was repeatedly disrupted by anti-war protesters. Later this week the White House is due to release an official report on the "surge" strategy, which will include Monday's testimony.
Petraeus recommended that US forces be reduced by 4,000 troops in December with more to follow next year that would bring the total number back to "pre-surge" levels by the Summer of 2008. "I believe that we will be able to reduce our forces to the pre-surge level ... by next summer without jeopardising the security gains we have fought so hard to achieve."He said that a "premature drawdown of our forces would likely have devastating consequences".Civilian fatalities
Petraeus said that the security situation had improved, particularly in the Western province of Anbar, but acknowledged that the number of civilian deaths was still too high and of "obvious concern". As he was addressing congress, there were reports from the military that nine US soldiers had been killed in Iraq, including seven personnel in a vehicle accident in western Baghdad.
Testifying alongside Petraeus, the US ambassador to Iraq said that although he could not guarantee "success" in Iraq, he believed "it is still possible to achieve a stable, democratic Iraq at peace with its neighbours". But Crocker warned it would be slow coming and said a new Iraq had to be built "from scratch". Crocker also said that Iran "will be a winner" if the US leaves Iraq by consolidating the country's influence over the country and its resources.
"The military objectives of the surge are being met." "I believe that we will be able to reduce our troop presence to pre-surge levels by next summer." "The level of civilian deaths is clearly still too high and continues to be of serious concern." "In Baghdad, 'ethno-sectarian' deaths are down 80 per cent since December." "The change in the security situation in Anbar province has been particularly dramatic." "The number of high-profile attacks is still too high.""Al-Qaeda is still not defeated. However, it is off balance and we are pursuing its leaders aggressively." "Iran seeks to fight a proxy war in Iraq."
Addressing congress before Petraeus' testimony, Tom Lantos, a senior Democrat, described the Bush administration's policy in Iraq as "myopic". "The majority of this congress and the American people want our troops out," he said. "The administration's myopic policy in Iraq have created a fiasco."George Bush, the US president, has repeatedly asked for congress and the American people to listen to the evidence in the hearing before making any judgments on his administration's strategy in Iraq.
Kimberly Halkett, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Washington, says Bush has great faith in Petraeus and Crocker and was reportedly not going to listen to the hearing. Petraeus fulfilled predictions that he would ask for more time to fully implement his strategy and approve a partial troop withdrawal. Josh Rushing, Al Jazeera's military analyst, said the offer to bring home US troops was a "political bone".
Key comments by Ryan Crocker
"There will be no single point at which we can claim victory."
"It is possible for the United States to see its goals realised in Iraq."
"It is no exaggeration to say Iraq is ... a traumatised society."
"Iraqis are facing the most profound political and economic challenges imaginable.""The trajectory of political, economic and diplomatic developments in Iraq is upwards, although the slope of that line is not steep."
"The seeds of reconciliation are being planted."
"Prime Minister Maliki and other Iraqi leaders face enormous obstacles in efforts to govern effectively."He said: "The army can't sustain the deployment they have now without changing the rotation system.
"So he's looking at having to draw down by next spring. They are overstretched." Zibakalam Sadegh, a professor of political science at Tehran university, dismissed claims by Crocker that Iran would benefit from continued instability in Iraq."Whatever has gone wrong and whenever there are security failures, they keep blaming Iran for that," he told Al Jazeera. "None of the American leaders have ever been able to answer the simple question of 'what has Iran to gain from insecurity in Iraq?'.
"Indeed, Iran has everything to gain from a stable Iraq." Further congressional hearings will take place on Tuesday when the two men will discuss whether the overall strategy in the country is working.
Key comments by Ryan Crocker
"There will be no single point at which we can claim victory."
"It is possible for the United States to see its goals realised in Iraq."
"It is no exaggeration to say Iraq is ... a traumatised society."
"Iraqis are facing the most profound political and economic challenges imaginable.""The trajectory of political, economic and diplomatic developments in Iraq is upwards, although the slope of that line is not steep."
"The seeds of reconciliation are being planted."
"Prime Minister Maliki and other Iraqi leaders face enormous obstacles in efforts to govern effectively."He said: "The army can't sustain the deployment they have now without changing the rotation system.
"So he's looking at having to draw down by next spring. They are overstretched." Zibakalam Sadegh, a professor of political science at Tehran university, dismissed claims by Crocker that Iran would benefit from continued instability in Iraq."Whatever has gone wrong and whenever there are security failures, they keep blaming Iran for that," he told Al Jazeera. "None of the American leaders have ever been able to answer the simple question of 'what has Iran to gain from insecurity in Iraq?'.
"Indeed, Iran has everything to gain from a stable Iraq." Further congressional hearings will take place on Tuesday when the two men will discuss whether the overall strategy in the country is working.
Labels: General David Petraeus, Ryan Crocker, U.S. troop reduction
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Petraeus hints at withdrawal next year
Security
(The Guardian) - America's leading military commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, last night signalled that the Bush administration may be ready to reverse its troop surge in Iraq and begin pulling soldiers out as early as next March.
Only days before he is to deliver his progress report to Congress on the 'surge', Gen Petraeus told ABC television he did not forsee maintaining present troop levels in Iraq because of the strain on the military. "The surge will run its course. There are limits to what our military can provide, so my recommendations have to be informed by, not driven by, but they have to be informed by the strain we have put on our military services," he told ABC during an interview in Baghdad.
The general refused to be more specific. But asked whether the US would begin pulling out the 30,000 extra forces deployed during the 'surge' by next March, he replied: "Your calculations are about right." Another official told ABC the reduction could begin as early as December with further withdrawals every 45 days.
Yesterday's interview came a day after George Bush made a surprise visit to a US air base in Anbar province. Mr Bush also raised the possibility of withdrawing some forces from Iraq, but warned Congress he would not bow to public opinion in setting his war strategy. The US forces in Iraq rose to more than 160,000 after Mr Bush ordered more troops into the war zone earlier this year.
Mr Bush's direction of the war also came under attack from an unexpected quarter yesterday: Paul Bremer, who in 2003 was America's proconsul in Baghdad. An angry Mr Bremer released two letters to the New York Times yesterday to reject Mr Bush's comments that the official had acted on his own accord in committing one of the most calamitous mistakes of the Iraq war. The disbanding of Saddam's military left hundreds of thousands of Iraqi soldiers stranded without jobs or income, and is recognised as one of the most disastrous measures undertaken by Mr Bremer.
Mr Bremer told the newspaper he sent a draft of the order to the Pentagon on May 9 2003 and that it had been circulated to the defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, and other officials. In the first letter, from Mr Bremer to the president, dated May 22 2003, Mr Bremer writes at length about Iraqis weeping tears of joy at their liberation, and the dissolution of Saddam's ruling Ba'ath party. He deals with the disbanding of the army in a single sentence. "I will parallel this step with an even more robust measure dissolving Saddam's military and intelligence structures to emphasise that we mean business."
The breezy tone was at odds with the opposition from US military officials at the time. Mr Bush responded the next day, in a brief reply sent from his ranch in Texas. Though it was such a big step in the de-Ba'athification process, there is no direct reference to dissolving Saddam's army. "Your leadership is apparent. You have quickly made a positive and significant impact. You have my full support and confidence. You also have the backing of our administration," Mr Bush writes.
Only days before he is to deliver his progress report to Congress on the 'surge', Gen Petraeus told ABC television he did not forsee maintaining present troop levels in Iraq because of the strain on the military. "The surge will run its course. There are limits to what our military can provide, so my recommendations have to be informed by, not driven by, but they have to be informed by the strain we have put on our military services," he told ABC during an interview in Baghdad.
The general refused to be more specific. But asked whether the US would begin pulling out the 30,000 extra forces deployed during the 'surge' by next March, he replied: "Your calculations are about right." Another official told ABC the reduction could begin as early as December with further withdrawals every 45 days.
Yesterday's interview came a day after George Bush made a surprise visit to a US air base in Anbar province. Mr Bush also raised the possibility of withdrawing some forces from Iraq, but warned Congress he would not bow to public opinion in setting his war strategy. The US forces in Iraq rose to more than 160,000 after Mr Bush ordered more troops into the war zone earlier this year.
Mr Bush's direction of the war also came under attack from an unexpected quarter yesterday: Paul Bremer, who in 2003 was America's proconsul in Baghdad. An angry Mr Bremer released two letters to the New York Times yesterday to reject Mr Bush's comments that the official had acted on his own accord in committing one of the most calamitous mistakes of the Iraq war. The disbanding of Saddam's military left hundreds of thousands of Iraqi soldiers stranded without jobs or income, and is recognised as one of the most disastrous measures undertaken by Mr Bremer.
Mr Bremer told the newspaper he sent a draft of the order to the Pentagon on May 9 2003 and that it had been circulated to the defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, and other officials. In the first letter, from Mr Bremer to the president, dated May 22 2003, Mr Bremer writes at length about Iraqis weeping tears of joy at their liberation, and the dissolution of Saddam's ruling Ba'ath party. He deals with the disbanding of the army in a single sentence. "I will parallel this step with an even more robust measure dissolving Saddam's military and intelligence structures to emphasise that we mean business."
The breezy tone was at odds with the opposition from US military officials at the time. Mr Bush responded the next day, in a brief reply sent from his ranch in Texas. Though it was such a big step in the de-Ba'athification process, there is no direct reference to dissolving Saddam's army. "Your leadership is apparent. You have quickly made a positive and significant impact. You have my full support and confidence. You also have the backing of our administration," Mr Bush writes.
Labels: former Iraqi Army, General David Petraeus, Paul Bremer, U.S. troop reduction
Monday, July 23, 2007
Northern Iraq commander proposes reducing troop levels
Security
(AP) -- In a move that could portend a strategy change, the commander of U.S. forces in northern Iraq said Sunday he has proposed reducing his troop levels and shifting next year to missions focused less on direct combat.
Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon told The Associated Press that if current trends hold, he would like to begin this troop reduction and change in mission in Ninevah province, where he said Iraqi army forces already are operating nearly independently. He has proposed shifting the province to Iraqi government control as early as August. Ninevah's capital is Mosul, the country's third largest city.
If put in place, Mixon's approach would not necessarily mean an overall reduction in U.S. troops early next year. It could mean shifting several thousand troops from Mixon's area to other parts of Iraq for some months.
That, however, could mark the beginning of a phased move away from the heavy combat role that U.S. troops have played, at a cost of more than 3,600 U.S. deaths, for more than four years. That, in turn, could lead to the first substantial U.S. troop reductions beginning in the spring or summer - a far slower timetable than many in Congress are demanding.
Mixon is not the only U.S. commander contemplating a repositioning or reduction of U.S. troops in the months ahead. Col. John Charlton, commander of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, who leads a task force of 6,000 U.S. soldiers in a section of Anbar province that includes Ramadi, said in an interview Friday that by January he might be ready to take a 25 percent troop cut if the Iraqi police, numbering about 6,000 now, are made stronger by then.
Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon told The Associated Press that if current trends hold, he would like to begin this troop reduction and change in mission in Ninevah province, where he said Iraqi army forces already are operating nearly independently. He has proposed shifting the province to Iraqi government control as early as August. Ninevah's capital is Mosul, the country's third largest city.
If put in place, Mixon's approach would not necessarily mean an overall reduction in U.S. troops early next year. It could mean shifting several thousand troops from Mixon's area to other parts of Iraq for some months.
That, however, could mark the beginning of a phased move away from the heavy combat role that U.S. troops have played, at a cost of more than 3,600 U.S. deaths, for more than four years. That, in turn, could lead to the first substantial U.S. troop reductions beginning in the spring or summer - a far slower timetable than many in Congress are demanding.
Mixon is not the only U.S. commander contemplating a repositioning or reduction of U.S. troops in the months ahead. Col. John Charlton, commander of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, who leads a task force of 6,000 U.S. soldiers in a section of Anbar province that includes Ramadi, said in an interview Friday that by January he might be ready to take a 25 percent troop cut if the Iraqi police, numbering about 6,000 now, are made stronger by then.
Labels: Col. John Charlton, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, Ninevah, U.S. troop reduction
