Thread: Archive Latest News - Think Tank - 16/08/07 - 03/11/07

BACKGROUND: Quotes from US hearing on Iraq war

US leaders in Iraq gave a long-awaited war update Monday to Congress, with the top US commander proposing a partial troop withdrawal by mid-2008. Selected quotes:


'There are no easy answers or quick solutions. (...) Our assessments underscore ... the importance of recognizing that a premature drawdown of our forces would likely have devastating consequences.'

- General David Petraeus, commander of US-led troops in Iraq.

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'The American people are frustrated. I am frustrated every day I spend in Iraq on the lack of progress on legislative initiatives. Iraqis themselves are frustrated.'

-Ryan Crocker, US ambassador to Iraq

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'As long as American troops are doing the heavy lifting in Iraq, there is no reason ­ none at all ­ for the Iraqis themselves to step up. Military progress without political progress is meaningless. (...) Prime Minister Maliki and the Iraqi politicians need to know that the free ride is over and that American troops will not be party to their civil war.'

-Tom Lantos, chairman of the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee, Democrat of California.

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'In the past eight months, we have considerably reduced the areas in which al-Qaeda enjoyed sanctuary. Al-Qaeda is certainly not defeated. However, it is off balance, and we are pursuing its leaders and operators aggressively.'

-General Petraeus

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'A secure, stable, democratic Iraq at peace with its neighbours is, in my view, attainable. The cumulative trajectory of political, economic, and diplomatic developments in Iraq is upwards, although the slope of that line is not steep.'

-Ambassador Crocker

BACKGROUND: Quotes from US hearing on Iraq war - Middle East

Petraeus says Iran weapons flow into Iraq rising

The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, said on Monday the flow of Iranian weapons into Iraq has increased but that Iranian Quds force trainers had withdrawn.

"It appears that that is increasing and we do not see a sign of that abating," Petraeus said of weapons flows, citing increased attacks by one type of roadside bomb technology and rockets that U.S. military officials link to Iran.

"The Quds force itself, we believe by and large those individuals have been pulled out of the country as have the Lebanese Hezbollah trainers that were being used to augment that activity," he said.

The Quds force is part of Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

Petraeus says Iran weapons flow into Iraq rising - Yahoo! News UK

US Surge In Iraq 'Is Working'

The so-called American surge in Iraq is working and troop numbers can be reduced by next summer, the commander of US forces in Iraq says.

General David Petraeus is delivering his long-awaited report to US Congress.

"The military objectives of the surge are in large measure being met," he said.

"I believe we will be able to reduce our forces to pre-surge level by next summer without jeopardising the security gains."

But he said improvements were "uneven across Iraq".

He said troop levels would decline further after a drawdown next summer but it was too soon to say how quickly or to set a firm timetable.

"Force reductions will continue beyond the pre-surge levels of brigade combat teams that we will reach by mid-July 2008," Gen Petraeus said.
"However, in my professional judgment, it would be premature to make recommendations on the pace of such reductions at this time."

His report marks the start of a crucial week in the debate on the war.
The surge saw an extra 30,000 US troops flood Baghdad and Al-Anbar Province in an attempt to halt insurgency action.

The full hearing on Capitol Hill is expected to last six hours.
The commander of US forces in Iraq was greeted by Democrats who praised him while sharply criticising the war he commands as he delivered his long-awaited assessment.

Gen Petraeus sat a few feet away as Democrat Ike Skelton described him as "almost certainly the right man for the job in Iraq."

But he added: "He's the right person three years too late and 250,000 troops short."

Democrat Tom Lantos hailed Gen Petraeus and US Ambassador Ryan Crocker - appearing alongside the general - as "two of our nation's most capable public servants".

He went on: "military progress without political progress is meaningless... We need to get out of Iraq, for that country's sake and for our own."

US Surge In Iraq 'Is Working' - Yahoo! News UK

Iraq comfortable with gradual U.S. troop withdrawal

Iraq would be comfortable with a gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops as long as such plans were discussed first with the government in Baghdad, the Iraqi government spokesman said on Monday.

"I don't think there would be a problem with a gradual withdrawal that's agreed with the Iraqis," Ali al-Dabbagh told Reuters in response to testimony by the U.S. commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, who said American forces could be cut back to around 130,000 troops by the middle of next year.

"But a sudden withdrawal is not in anyone's interest, not in the region's, not in Iraq's," added Dabbagh.

It was unclear if Petraeus had consulted Iraq's government on the proposed timetable for reducing forces that he presented to the U.S. Congress in Washington.

Iraq comfortable with gradual U.S. troop withdrawal - Yahoo! News UK

FACTBOX - Key elements of Petraeus' Iraq testimony

Following are key statistics and statements given on Monday by Army Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq.

Petraeus was testifying before a joint session of the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees of the U.S. House of Representatives.

SECURITY SITUATION

-- "The overall number of security incidents in Iraq has declined in eight of the past 12 weeks, with the numbers of incidents in the last two weeks at the lowest levels seen since June 2006."

-- Overall number of attacks this past week was the lowest since April 2006.

-- Civilian deaths, excluding those due to natural causes, are down by over 45 percent Iraq-wide since the height of sectarian violence in December. They are down by some 70 percent in Baghdad.

-- Ethno-sectarian deaths are down by over 55 percent since last December. In Baghdad, the number of ethno-sectarian deaths is down by some 80 percent since December.

-- Monthly attack levels in Anbar province are down to "a bit" over 200 in August of this year from some 1,350 in October 2006.

-- Number of car bombings and suicide attacks in Iraq is down in each of the past five months, from a high of some 175 in March to about 90 this past month. But "the number of high profile attacks is still too high."

AL QAEDA IN IRAQ

-- "Our operations have ... produced substantial progress against al Qaeda and its affiliates in Iraq ... We have also neutralized five media cells, detained the senior Iraqi leader of al Qaeda-Iraq, and killed or captured nearly 100 other key leaders and some 2,500 rank-and-file fighters."

IRAQI SECURITY FORCES

-- "There are now nearly 140 Iraqi Army, National Police, and Special Operations Forces Battalions in the fight, with about 95 of those capable of taking the lead in operations, albeit with some coalition support."

U.S. TROOP LEVELS

-- Marine Expeditionary Unit of some 2,200 troops, deployed as part of surge of forces this year, to leave Iraq this month as scheduled.

-- Petraeus recommends a brigade combat team -- normally somewhere around 4,000 troops -- leave in mid-December and four other brigade combat teams and two Marine battalions follow in the first seven months of 2008. That would take U.S. troop levels back to around 130,000, the level before the "surge".

FACTBOX-Key elements of Petraeus' Iraq testimony - Yahoo! News UK

Talabani receives Iranian delegation

Baghdad, Sept 10, (VOI)- Iraqi President Jalal Talabani received on Monday the Iranian delegation participating in Iraq's neighboring countries conference.

"President Talabani received the Iranian delegation which took part in Iraq's neighboring countries conference. The delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Reza Baqeri," Talabani's office said in a statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

"The meeting tackled means to foster bilateral ties and joint cooperation between the two countries in various domains," the statement added.

"The officials also emphasized the necessity of the neighboring countries' participation in boosting security and stability in Iraq, which will positively affect the stability in the whole region," it noted.

"The two sides stressed on the importance of rule of law in Iraq and fighting terrorism as a global phenomenon," the statement concluded.

Aswat Aliraq

A Call for the American Companies to Participate in Kurdistan Reconstruction

Mr. Karim Sinjari, KRG Region Minister of Internal Affairs received Mr. Jess Belly, deputy of the American Regional Construction Team chief and his accompanied delegation. They discussed in the meeting the political situation in Iraq and its effect on the reconstruction process and presenting services for Iraqi people.

From his side, the minister explained the stability and security of the region which forms a major role in projects execution. The minister invited the American companies to actively participate in the reconstruction of Kurdistan region and in making the construction and development plan successful.

PUKmedia :: English - A Call for the American Companies to Participate in Kurdistan Reconstruction

President Talabani Receives US Ambassador Under-Secretary to Iraq

His Excellency, president Talabani received Mrs. Patricia Butanes, US ambassador under-secretary to Iraq in Baghdad today afternoon.

The current political developments, the security challenges, and how to deal with the problems which hinder the progress of the political process in Iraq were discussed during the meeting.

President Talabani stressed on the need for abiding by a wise policy based upon tolerance, love, and concord among all the Iraqi sects, clarifying the significance of eradicating hatred, revenge particularly in this sensitive stage.

The need for agreement on the main legislations in the Iraqi parliament, particularly both laws of questioning and justice, and petroleum also were discussed during the meeting.

President Talabani and Mrs. Patricia Butanes both stressed on reinforcing of the bilateral relations between Iraq and US that serve the interests of the two friendly nations.

PUKmedia :: English - President Talabani Receives US Ambassador Under-Secretary to Iraq

Iraq PM says civil war averted as violence drops

Iraq's embattled Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki said Monday that civil war had been averted in his country, and that violence had dropped 75 percent in the most dangerous provinces.

In a generally upbeat assessment of the situation in Iraq, Maliki, however, told parliament that, de****e a "noted" improvement in security in Baghdad, Iraqi forces still needed time to take control of security there.

Maliki's address came just hours before the top US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, was due to give testimony to the US Congress, in which he was expected to plead for more time to pacify the nation.

"We have succeeded in preventing Iraq from sliding into a civil war, in ****e of all the destabilizing actions by local and international groups," Maliki told lawmakers.

He said levels of violence in Baghdad and the western province of Anbar had dropped 75 percent since the much-vaunted US troop "surge" was launched in February.

Maliki also said more-than-14,000 fighters linked to Al Qaeda have turned against violence, and joined the Iraqi armed forces.

"The number of fighters from armed groups linked to Al Qaeda who have joined the Iraqi security services now totals 14,178."

Presenting his report card to parliament, Maliki said about 6,000 families had returned to their homes in Baghdad, while 5,941 suspected "terrorists" had been detained.

Of these, 3,396 had been released, he said. A total of 1,914 improvised explosive devices had been defused, and "thousands" of arms caches recovered.

Additionally, 652 "terrorists" were killed in clashes with the Iraqi security forces, 262 car bombs were defused, and 27,500 tribal volunteers joined the fight against Al Qaeda, while 99,373 weapons were seized.

"Since the launch of the operation, the Iraqi government has restored semi-normal life to parts of Baghdad," said Maliki, giving an update for the period between February 14 when the "surge" began and August 14.

Hours after Maliki's address, the authorities announced the easing of the nightly curfew in Baghdad during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

Brigadier General Qassim Atta, spokesman for the Baghdad security plan, said the curfew in Baghdad would come into effect at midnight instead of 11 pm, but would continue to be enforced until 5 am.

He added the authorities had also decided to scrap the weekly vehicle curfew that usually applies between 11 am and 3 pm Fridays, for the duration of the fasting month.

However, on the Muslim day of rest, vehicles will not be allowed over the many bridges that span the Tigris River and link east and west Baghdad.

The vehicle curfew was introduced to thwart insurgent attacks on worshippers observing the main weekly prayers.

Meanwhile, Petraeus faces a hostile reception from the Democrats who control Congress over when the 168,000 US troops in Iraq can come home from a four-year war that has killed more than 3,700 soldiers, tens of thousands of Iraqis, and cost half-a-trillion dollars.

The general is expected to argue that President George W. Bush's strategy of sending an extra 28,500 troops into Iraq since February has slashed sectarian violence and should be extended.

The US and Iraqi military crackdown has reduced high-profile car bomb attacks in Baghdad, but insurgents have managed to trigger them in other remote areas of the country.

The deadliest such attack came August 14 when four lorries packed with explosives were detonated in two northern villages, targeting the ancient Yazidi community.

More than 400 people were killed in the bombings, the deadliest attack in the world since the 9/11 attacks in the United States.

Petraeus is to be followed before Congress by Ryan Crocker, the US ambassador to Baghdad. Their joint assessments are expected to influence future White House strategy in Iraq.

After their testimony, Bush is expected to deliver a report on the war to lawmakers by September 15.

Iraq PM says civil war averted as violence drops - Region - Middle East Times

Deep mistrust towards US security report

Baghdad: America, Iraq and all countries interested in the Iraq issue and its ramifications are eagerly awaiting the next report from the American ambassador in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker and the military commander General David Petraeus.

However, Iraqis themselves have decided to attack the report before its publication.

Sami Abdul Hamid, an Iraqi told Gulf News: "The Petraeus-Crocker report probably means a lot more for Americans than Iraqis themselves, although it speaks about the political and security situation in Iraq.

"The Americans are following the report with great interest to determine their position - whether to stay or withdraw and how to stop the continuing casualties in the American army."

The government-run Sabah newspaper said the "Petraeus-Crocker report should not blame the government in Baghdad; instead it should respect the Iraqi government and its strategy."

Elham Hussain, a university student, told Gulf News: "I just hate talking about the Petraeus-Crocker report because it simply enhances the American tutelage over Iraq.

"The Iraqi government must issue all reports and find solutions to the deteriorating security situation and Americans have to accept the role of cooperating and supporting, not of controlling and guarding".

Sovereignty

The Iraqi political milieux, especially among the Shiite ruling coalition, did not like the recent visit by American president George W Bush visit to the Anbar province and the way Iraqi leaders headed to meet him because it carried certain meanings that detracted from Iraq's sovereignty.

Some political milieux in the Dawa party led by Nouri Al Maliki, told Gulf News that Al Maliki is keen to act as a leader of a sovereign, independent and elected government and that can be inferred from the neighbouring countries conference held in Baghdad a few days ago.

The Iraqi government seemed comfortable because the conference sent a message of independency and sovereignty.

Jalil, an officer at the Interior Ministry, told Gulf News: "Americans think they are the only ones who can bring a solution though they are the main reason for the catastrophic security situation when they left the borders wide open for Al Qaida and other external terrorist elements."

However, Bashar Al Samarae, a teacher at a secondary school, told Gulf News the report was important: "Iraqis are the only ones responsible for their issue. Yet the mistakes committed by the Al Maliki government makes the report important because Americans are the only power that can put pressure on the government to correct the mistakes and this is a bitter but true fact."

Gulfnews: Deep mistrust towards US security report