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WORLD / Middle East
Petraeus talks of troop withdrawal
(AP)
Updated: 2007-09-11 06:45
WASHINGTON - US General David Petraeus told Congress on Monday he
envisions the withdrawal of roughly 30,000 US troops by next summer,
beginning with a Marine contingent later this month.
Gen. David Petraeus, left, accompanied by US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan
Crocker testifies on the future course of the war in Iraq while appearing
before a joint hearing of the House Armed Services Committee and House
Foreign Relations Committee, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, on Capitol Hill in
Washington. [AP]?
In long-awaited testimony, the commanding general of the war said last
winter's buildup in US troops had met its military objectives "in large
measure."
As a result, he told a congressional hearing and a nationwide television
audience, "I believe that we will be able to reduce our forces to the
pre-surge level ... by next summer without jeopardizing the security
gains we have fought so hard to achieve."
Testifying in a military uniform bearing four general's stars and a
chestful of medals, Petraeus said he had already provided his views to
the military chain of command.
Rebutting charges that he was merely doing the White House's bidding, he
said firmly: "I wrote this testimony myself. It has not been cleared by
nor shared with anyone in the Pentagon, the White House or the Congress."
His testimony came at a politically pivotal moment in the war, with the
Democratic-controlled Congress pressing for a troop withdrawal deadline
and the Bush administration hoping to prevent wholesale Republican
defections on the issue.
Petraeus said that a unit of about 2,000 Marines will depart Iraq later
this month, beginning a drawdown that would be followed in mid-December
with the departure of an Army brigade numbering 3,500 to 4,000 soldiers.
After that, another four brigades would be withdrawn by July 2008, he
said. That would leave the United States with about 130,000 troops in
Iraq, roughly the number stationed there last winter when President Bush
decided to dispatch additional forces.
He said he believes withdrawals could continue even after the 30,000
extra troops go home, but he added that it would be premature to make any
further recommendations.
Initial reaction from Democrats was sour.
Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee, said it was a "token withdrawal," and Petraeus rebutted him
swiftly.
"A very substantial withdrawal," he countered.
Petraeus didn't say so, but Ambassador Ryan Crocker strongly suggested
that the administration's troop buildup had prevented a debacle.
Testifying alongside the general, Crocker said 2006 was a "bad year for
Iraq. The country came close to unraveling politically, economically and
in security terms. 2007 has brought improvement."
The extent of any improvement has been a matter of debate. The Government
Accountability Office, a congressional agency, recently reported that
Iraq has partially achieved only four of 18 political and military goals.
While Petraeus focused his remarks mostly on military matters, he also
noted the failure thus far of the Iraqi government to take the actions
needed to stabilize the country for the long term.
"Lack of adequate governmental capacity, lingering sectarian mistrust,
and various forms of corruption add to Iraq's challenges," he said.
Using 13 pages of colorful charts, Petraeus said "the level of security
incidents has declined in eight of the past 12 weeks, with the level of
incidents in the past two weeks the lowest since June of 2006."
Petraeus also said the Iraqi military is slowly gaining competence and
gradually "taking on more responsibility for their security."
He cited Anbar province as an example of Iraqis turning against
terrorists, adding, "We are seeing similar actions in other locations as
well."
Bush and his political allies have worked forcefully in recent weeks to
shore up Republican support. One organization with ties to the
administration has spent millions on television advertisements, and Bush
traveled to Anbar province last week to highlight improved security in
the vast western stretches of Iraq.
Bush also called Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in the hours before
Petraeus spoke, and is expected to deliver a nationwide address on the
war in the next few days.
Despite the administration's efforts, fresh polls reflected significant
public opposition to the war.
An AP-Ipsos survey found that only 36 percent of those questioned believe
the troop increase has helped stabilize Iraq. That was up only marginally
from 32 percent in February, as the buildup was beginning.
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