...to require the start of redeployment, let's take a look round the 'net on that subject...
The Christian Science Monitor: President Bush Says "Progress On Security Will Pave The Way For Political Progress" In Iraq. "In unveiling the report, Bush said at a press conference Thursday that the military progress is laying the groundwork for the necessary political advances. 'Progress on security will pave the way for political progress,' he said, acknowledging that his report paints a brighter picture on the military front. Adding that security is the prerequisite for political progress, the president added, 'It is not surprising that political progress is lagging behind' military achievements. He also acknowledged the US public's dim view of the US presence in Iraq, but called for Americans to reconsider 'the consequences for America if we fail in Iraq.' He repeated his long-held view that a failure to confront Al Qaeda and related groups in Iraq would risk for emboldening extremists to extend their actions to American soil." (Howard LaFranchi, "Bush Report Sharpens Iraq Debate," The Christian Science Monitor, 7/13/07)
Multi-National Force – Iraq Commander General Petraeus Warns Against Hasty U.S. Pullout From Iraq. "Progress, says Petraeus, is not limited to this area south of Baghdad, but throughout neighboring provinces. 'The dynamic out there that is very surprising in the past several months is the increasing rejection by the Sunni population of Al Qaeda ideology,' he says. The prospect of any hasty removal of US troops has him concerned. 'If we pull out there will be greatly increased sectarian violence, humanitarian concerns. ... You don't know what could happen in terms of dangerous conflicts, what could happen along the Kurdish/Shiite/Sunni fault lines, or how [Iraq's] neighbors will react.' He says that 'there are all kinds of dynamics to consider: Iran, Syria, and others have distinct interests. There are a number of different concerns hanging on the security situation.'" (Leslie Sabbagh, "Gen. Petraeus Warns Of A Hasty US Pullout From Iraq," The Christian Science Monitor, 7/13/07)
Fox News: Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice Sees "Signs Of Hope" For An "Improving" Environment In Which Political Matters Can Go Forward. SEC. RICE: "Well, I certainly do see signs of hope that the improved security environment – and I don't want to overstate the improvements of the security environment, but the fact that sectarian violence is down, the fact that the security forces are showing up in the numbers that they're supposed to, the bottom-up ... efforts that are being made with the Sunni sheikhs ... against the al Qaeda – that that is improving the environment in which these political matters can go forward. But ... ultimately it is true that the Iraqis are going to have to press ahead. One good sign is that their legislature... [has] said that if the business of the nation is there to do, they're going to stay in session and do the business of the nation." (FOX News' "Special Report," 7/12/07)
National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley in USA Today: Abandoning Progress In Iraq "Would Have Devastating Consequences For Iraq" And "For The Security Of The United States." "Our new strategy is already showing some encouraging signs of progress. ... Abandoning this progress and embracing failure would have devastating consequences for Iraq, for the region and for the security of the United States. ... Congress should give Gen. Petraeus the chance to come back in September to give his assessment of the strategy he is pursuing. At that time, we will be in a better position to judge the impact our new strategy is having in Iraq and determine what adjustments need to be made." (Stephen J. Hadley, Op-Ed, "Strategy Shows Progress," USA Today, 7/13/07)
White House Press Secretary Tony Snow on MSNBC: "There Has Been Considerable Success On The Security Side" In Iraq. SNOW: "What the President outlined today was really the beginning of a fully operational surge. We got the last forces in about three weeks ago. … I think what the President did today is tell Americans something maybe they hadn't have heard a lot of, which is, since we have gone in with the surge, there has been considerable success on the security side. And let's face it; you're not going to have political progress if politicians are worried about their very existence, if they're worried about their survival, and furthermore, if they're worried about sectarian violence. ... The casualty counts are down. There is now a little bit of breathing space." (MSNBC's "Hardball," 7/12/07)
Charles Krauthammer in the Washington Post urges Congress to give General Petraeus the time he needs in Iraq. "Just this week, Petraeus said that the one thing he needs more than anything else is time. To cut off Petraeus's plan just as it is beginning – the last surge troops arrived only last month – on the assumption that we cannot succeed is to declare Petraeus either deluded or dishonorable. ... In the long run, agreements on oil, federalism and de-Baathification are crucial for stabilizing Iraq. But their absence at this moment is not a reason to give up in despair, now that we finally have a counterinsurgency strategy in place that is showing success against the one enemy – al-Qaeda – that both critics and supporters of the war maintain must be fought everywhere and at all cost." (Charles Krauthammer, Op-Ed, "Deserting Petraeus," The Washington Post, 7/13/07)
On CNN's "Situation Room" Deputy Secretary Of State John Negroponte Says We Must Give The Surge "A Chance To Show Results." NEGROPONTE: "I think that this is work in progress. It's not easy. I think it's not only up to Prime Minister Maliki but all of the different elements of the Iraqi body politick. ... And I think they are making their best efforts. And we have seen some progress, although not perhaps as much as we would have liked on all fronts. ..[T]he interim report ... that was issued today indicates the results are mixed. ... But again, I just want to stress this is an interim report. It's work in progress. And I think we have to give the Baghdad surge and the other elements of the policy at work a chance to show results. ...[W]e have, of course, kept the pressure on both the government and on the Counsel of Representatives to deal with the urgent issues that are before them." (CNN's "The Situation Room," 7/12/07)
Omar Fadhil, of IraqTheModel, says in the Wall Street Journal: "Backing Off Now Is Not An Option" In Iraq. "While al Qaeda and Sadr are by no means finished off militarily, what has changed is that both of them are fighting their former public base of support. That course can't lead them to success in fomenting the sectarian war they had bet their money on. ... First things first. Let's allow our troops to finish their job. And when that is done nation-building will follow, and that's where diplomats and politicians will have to do the fighting in their own way while American soldiers can finally enjoy a well-deserved rest. Backing off now is not an option. The light at the end of the tunnel faded for a whole dark year, but we can see it again now and it's getting brighter. It's our duty to keep walking towards it." (Omar Fadhil, Op-Ed, "The Surge Is Working," The Wall Street Journal, 7/12/07)
2 Comments