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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Petraeus says Iraq gains 'uneven' | Petraeus says Iraq gains 'uneven' |
| (about 23 hours later) | |
| The most senior US commander in Iraq has said that progress in bringing security to the country had been uneven and in some cases disappointing. | The most senior US commander in Iraq has said that progress in bringing security to the country had been uneven and in some cases disappointing. |
| In a letter to troops, General David Petraeus said Iraq's political leaders had not made the gains hoped for under the US troop "surge" strategy. | In a letter to troops, General David Petraeus said Iraq's political leaders had not made the gains hoped for under the US troop "surge" strategy. |
| But he said US forces had achieved "tactical momentum" against insurgents in several areas of Iraq. | But he said US forces had achieved "tactical momentum" against insurgents in several areas of Iraq. |
| Gen Petraeus is to deliver his war assessment to Congress on Monday. | Gen Petraeus is to deliver his war assessment to Congress on Monday. |
| I will go before Congress conscious of the strain on our forces, the sacrifices that you and your families are making Gen Petraeus | I will go before Congress conscious of the strain on our forces, the sacrifices that you and your families are making Gen Petraeus |
| In the letter posted on his Baghdad command's website, Gen Petraeus said this summer was supposed to be a time of "tangible political progress" but "it has not worked out as we hoped". | In the letter posted on his Baghdad command's website, Gen Petraeus said this summer was supposed to be a time of "tangible political progress" but "it has not worked out as we hoped". |
| He thanked the troops for their contributions to the counter-insurgency fight. | He thanked the troops for their contributions to the counter-insurgency fight. |
| "I will go before Congress conscious of the strain on our forces, the sacrifices that you and your families are making, the gains we have made in Iraq," he wrote. | "I will go before Congress conscious of the strain on our forces, the sacrifices that you and your families are making, the gains we have made in Iraq," he wrote. |
| A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge, which started in February 2007 and was completed in mid-June. | A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge, which started in February 2007 and was completed in mid-June. |
| 'Risk averse' | 'Risk averse' |
| Earlier on Thursday US media reported that Gen Petraeus was considering cutting soldier numbers in Iraq by about 4,000. | Earlier on Thursday US media reported that Gen Petraeus was considering cutting soldier numbers in Iraq by about 4,000. |
| He may withdraw one brigade if it does not threaten "recent gains" made by US forces since the troop surge, US government and military officials told the New York Times. | He may withdraw one brigade if it does not threaten "recent gains" made by US forces since the troop surge, US government and military officials told the New York Times. |
| Most 'want Iraq pull-out' Iraq progress reports | Most 'want Iraq pull-out' Iraq progress reports |
| He "is worried about risk, and all things being equal he'd like to keep as much as he could for as long as he could", a senior military officer told the newspaper. | He "is worried about risk, and all things being equal he'd like to keep as much as he could for as long as he could", a senior military officer told the newspaper. |
| The administration's clear hope is that the promise of some reductions will be enough to ease pressure for deeper cuts, correspondents say. | The administration's clear hope is that the promise of some reductions will be enough to ease pressure for deeper cuts, correspondents say. |
| Democrats in Congress have long been pushing for a reduction in troop numbers in Iraq. | Democrats in Congress have long been pushing for a reduction in troop numbers in Iraq. |
| On Thursday they seized on a report from a key US security commission recommending a cut in troop numbers by early 2008. | On Thursday they seized on a report from a key US security commission recommending a cut in troop numbers by early 2008. |
| Mr Bush, who decides on troop numbers in Iraq, has said he will follow advice from commanders on the ground, rather than bowing to political pressure, to make his decision. | Mr Bush, who decides on troop numbers in Iraq, has said he will follow advice from commanders on the ground, rather than bowing to political pressure, to make his decision. |
| Correspondents say next week will be critical, with the debate building on whether US troops should stay or leave. | Correspondents say next week will be critical, with the debate building on whether US troops should stay or leave. |
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