2008 Woodie Awards
Commanding general in Iraq calls for suspension of troop reduction
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Nation
WASHINGTON - The U.S. general commanding the Iraq war called yesterday for an open-ended suspension of U.S. troop withdrawals this summer, reflecting concern about a recent flare-up in violence and leaving open the possibility that few, if any, additional troops will be brought home before President Bush leaves office in January.
Gen. David Petraeus told a Senate hearing that he recommends a 45-day "period of consolidation and evaluation" once the extra combat forces that President Bush ordered to Iraq last year have completed their pullout in July. He did not commit to a timetable for resuming troop reductions after the 45-day pause.
"At the end of that period, we will commence a process of assessment to examine the conditions on the ground and, over time, determine when we can make recommendations for further reductions," Petraeus said.
He did not commit to any additional troop withdrawals beyond July.
"This process will be continuous, with recommendations for further reductions made as conditions permit," he added. "This approach does not allow establishment of a set withdrawal timetable. However, it does provide the flexibility those of us on the ground need to preserve the still fragile security gains our troopers have fought so hard [and] sacrificed so much to achieve."
The plan gives Petraeus maximum flexibility at a time of rising violence in Baghdad and some others parts of the country. It runs counter to Democrats' push for a more rapid reduction in the U.S. military commitment and a faster transfer of responsibility to the Iraqi government.
Petraeus said his approach takes account of the fact that security gains achieved over the past year are fragile and reversible, and he said it is intended to "form a foundation for the gradual establishment of sustainable security in Iraq." But he did not say when he thought that goal would be reached.
"Withdrawing too many forces too quickly could jeopardize the progress of the past year," Petraeus said.
Gen. David Petraeus told a Senate hearing that he recommends a 45-day "period of consolidation and evaluation" once the extra combat forces that President Bush ordered to Iraq last year have completed their pullout in July. He did not commit to a timetable for resuming troop reductions after the 45-day pause.
"At the end of that period, we will commence a process of assessment to examine the conditions on the ground and, over time, determine when we can make recommendations for further reductions," Petraeus said.
He did not commit to any additional troop withdrawals beyond July.
"This process will be continuous, with recommendations for further reductions made as conditions permit," he added. "This approach does not allow establishment of a set withdrawal timetable. However, it does provide the flexibility those of us on the ground need to preserve the still fragile security gains our troopers have fought so hard [and] sacrificed so much to achieve."
The plan gives Petraeus maximum flexibility at a time of rising violence in Baghdad and some others parts of the country. It runs counter to Democrats' push for a more rapid reduction in the U.S. military commitment and a faster transfer of responsibility to the Iraqi government.
Petraeus said his approach takes account of the fact that security gains achieved over the past year are fragile and reversible, and he said it is intended to "form a foundation for the gradual establishment of sustainable security in Iraq." But he did not say when he thought that goal would be reached.
"Withdrawing too many forces too quickly could jeopardize the progress of the past year," Petraeus said.
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