lily
05-22-2008, 09:22 PM
Should definately help McCain come September (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/22/AR2008052201724.html?hpid=topnews)
Petraeus Expects to Recommend Troop Cuts This Fall
Petraeus: Iraq Troop Decision Likely by Sept.Gen. David Petraeus said he
expects to be able to recommend further cuts in U.S. forces in Iraq before
he leaves in September.
By Thomas E. Ricks and Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, May 22, 2008; 3:09 PM
Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in the war in Iraq, said that
he expects this fall to recommend additional cuts in U.S. troop levels
there.
He said that he plans to make an assessment by September, when he would move
to take over the U.S. Central Command, if he is confirmed for that position,
as is expected.
"My sense is I will be able to make a recommendation at that time for
further reductions," Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee today
in a hearing to confirm him for the Centcom post. He said he didn't know how
large those cuts might be.
Under the "surge" counteroffensive, U.S. troop strength in Iraq peaked last
fall at about 165,000. Since then, several major units have left. By
mid-summer, troop strength is supposed to return to the pre-surge level of
about 133,000. Petraeus's comments today referred to possible cuts below
that level.
At Fort Bragg, N.C., President Bush, appearing at a memorial ceremony in
front of 17,000 paratroopers, gave an upbeat assessment of events in Iraq.
But Bush stopped short of suggesting that more troop withdrawals were
imminent, saying he would wait for Petraeus's assessment.
"There will be tough fighting ahead, but the progress is undeniable," Bush
told the assembled troops from the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, most
of whom had recently returned from long tours in Iraq or Afghanistan.
"Because of your bravery and your courage, the terrorists and extremists are
on the run, and we are on our way to victory."
Bush said the Iraqi government has made significant strides in four key
areas: providing security for its citizens; becoming economically
independent; building an effective democracy; and being a U.S. ally against
terrorism.
He also said Petraeus had done "a brilliant job" in Iraq, and vowed that
military commanders "will have all the resources you need to win in Iraq."
Petraeus said he did not expect Iraqi provincial elections to be held in
October, as scheduled. The Bush administration and the U.S. military have
described the elections -- which are likely to increase elected Sunni
representation in many areas -- as a crucial step toward Iraqi political
reconciliation. At the same time, the elections are expected to lead to an
increase in violence in some areas.
Although the administration hailed Iraqi legislation last spring authorizing
the elections, the government and legislature in Baghdad have not put in
place laws and regulations required for the vote to proceed. Petraeus said
that he hoped the election could take place at some later point "in the
fall."
Bush also seemed to tamp down expectations on the political front, comparing
political differences in Iraq to "our own in the United States."
"We can't expect them to reach agreement on every issue," he said. "But we
can expect Iraqis of all backgrounds to take an increasingly active role in
the democratic process, share power, and settle disputes by debating in the
halls of government rather than fighting in the streets."
Petraeus Expects to Recommend Troop Cuts This Fall
Petraeus: Iraq Troop Decision Likely by Sept.Gen. David Petraeus said he
expects to be able to recommend further cuts in U.S. forces in Iraq before
he leaves in September.
By Thomas E. Ricks and Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, May 22, 2008; 3:09 PM
Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in the war in Iraq, said that
he expects this fall to recommend additional cuts in U.S. troop levels
there.
He said that he plans to make an assessment by September, when he would move
to take over the U.S. Central Command, if he is confirmed for that position,
as is expected.
"My sense is I will be able to make a recommendation at that time for
further reductions," Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee today
in a hearing to confirm him for the Centcom post. He said he didn't know how
large those cuts might be.
Under the "surge" counteroffensive, U.S. troop strength in Iraq peaked last
fall at about 165,000. Since then, several major units have left. By
mid-summer, troop strength is supposed to return to the pre-surge level of
about 133,000. Petraeus's comments today referred to possible cuts below
that level.
At Fort Bragg, N.C., President Bush, appearing at a memorial ceremony in
front of 17,000 paratroopers, gave an upbeat assessment of events in Iraq.
But Bush stopped short of suggesting that more troop withdrawals were
imminent, saying he would wait for Petraeus's assessment.
"There will be tough fighting ahead, but the progress is undeniable," Bush
told the assembled troops from the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, most
of whom had recently returned from long tours in Iraq or Afghanistan.
"Because of your bravery and your courage, the terrorists and extremists are
on the run, and we are on our way to victory."
Bush said the Iraqi government has made significant strides in four key
areas: providing security for its citizens; becoming economically
independent; building an effective democracy; and being a U.S. ally against
terrorism.
He also said Petraeus had done "a brilliant job" in Iraq, and vowed that
military commanders "will have all the resources you need to win in Iraq."
Petraeus said he did not expect Iraqi provincial elections to be held in
October, as scheduled. The Bush administration and the U.S. military have
described the elections -- which are likely to increase elected Sunni
representation in many areas -- as a crucial step toward Iraqi political
reconciliation. At the same time, the elections are expected to lead to an
increase in violence in some areas.
Although the administration hailed Iraqi legislation last spring authorizing
the elections, the government and legislature in Baghdad have not put in
place laws and regulations required for the vote to proceed. Petraeus said
that he hoped the election could take place at some later point "in the
fall."
Bush also seemed to tamp down expectations on the political front, comparing
political differences in Iraq to "our own in the United States."
"We can't expect them to reach agreement on every issue," he said. "But we
can expect Iraqis of all backgrounds to take an increasingly active role in
the democratic process, share power, and settle disputes by debating in the
halls of government rather than fighting in the streets."