? ?
WORLD / America
Study: US should lower profile in Iraq
(AP)
Updated: 2007-09-07 10:49
WASHINGTON -- US forces in Iraq should be reduced significantly,
according to a new study on Iraq's security forces that inflamed debate
in Congress on how quickly that can happen without hurling the country
into chaos.
Democratic Presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.,
left, talks with Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., during Senate Armed Services
Committee hearing to discuss the Iraqi Security Forces Independent
Assessment Commission's report, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007, on Capitol Hill
in Washington. [AP]
The report, authored by a 20-member panel comprised mostly of retired
senior military and police officers, said the massive deployment of US
forces and sprawl of US-run facilities in and around Baghdad has given
Iraqis the impression that Americans are an occupying, permanent force.
Accordingly, the panel said the Iraqis should assume more control of its
security and US forces should step back, emboldening Democrats who want
troop withdrawals to start this fall.
"Significant reductions, consolidations and realignments would appear to
be possible and prudent," wrote the group, led by retired Gen. James
Jones, a former Marine Corps commandant.
The recommendation echoed previous independent assessments on the war,
including the high-profile Iraq Study Group that said the combat mission
could be transferred to the Iraqis by early 2008. But the burning
question, left mostly unanswered by the panel, was precisely when Iraqi
security units could take control and US troops could leave.
The study concluded only that the Iraqis could not assume control of the
country without US help in the next 12 to 18 months.
"We need to start transitioning to an Iraqi lead," no matter the
timeframe, said retired Army Gen. George Joulwan, a panel member and
former NATO commander in Europe.
"I think the signs are there to do that, and we have to reduce that
dependency," he added in testimony before the Senate Armed Services
Committee.
The study sparked ongoing debate among committee members on whether to
pass legislation ordering troops home.
Democrats want a firm deadline to pressure Iraqi leaders into taking more
control. Most Republicans have so far balked at the suggestion, saying
military commanders should make the decision.
"There's a lot of people who are armchair generals who reside here in the
air-conditioned comfort of Capitol Hill, who somehow do not trust the
judgment of some of the finest leaders that our nation has produced,"
said Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee
and a GOP presidential hopeful.
Democrats and Sen. John Warner, R-Va., expressed skepticism that the
Iraqis will reach the necessary political consensus without incentive.
?? ?? 1?? 2?? ??
?? ?? 1?? 2?? ??
Top World News ?
* Darfur peace talks to resume on Oct 27
* Algeria suicide attack aimed at president kills 15
* Groups: Bin Laden plans video on 9/11
* Italian tenor Pavarotti is dead
* Social security scandal angers Japanese
Today's Top News ?
* Hu tells Bush: It's time to 'get tough on Taiwan'
* Wen outlines economic strategies
* Bin Laden plans video on 9/11 - group
* Chinese men win gymnastics title
* APEC outlines trade, security policies
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
No comments:
Post a Comment