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US surge plan in Iraq 'working' US surge plan in Iraq 'working'
(about 1 hour later)
The military objectives of the US troop surge in Iraq "are largely being met", the top US military commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, has said.The military objectives of the US troop surge in Iraq "are largely being met", the top US military commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, has said.
Gen Petraeus' comments came as he and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker began testifying before Congress. He told a Congressional panel that although improvements were "uneven", violence had declined significantly since the surge began in February.
The testimony has been billed as "make or break" for President George W Bush's resolve to stay the course in Iraq. Both Gen Petraeus and US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker are testifying.
A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June. The hearings have been billed as "make or break" for President George W Bush's policy in Iraq.
In his testimony before the joint House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, Gen Petraeus said that: In his testimony before the joint hearing by the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, Gen Petraeus said:
  • "security incidents", including sectarian violence, had declined significantly since the surge began;
  • "security incidents", including sectarian violence, had declined since the start of the surge
  • he envisioned the withdrawal of some 30,000 US troops by summer, beginning with 2,000 marines in September;
    		•
  • he envisioned the withdrawal of some 30,000 US troops by the middle of 2008, beginning with 2,000 marines in September
  • he expected a decision on further troop cuts next March;
    		•
  • he expected a decision on further troop cuts next March
  • improvements had been "uneven", and the situation in Iraq remained "difficult"
    		•
  • the situation in Iraq remained "difficult".
    • Speaking after Gen Petraeus, Mr Crocker said he believed it was possible for the US to see its goals achieved in Iraq.Speaking after Gen Petraeus, Mr Crocker said he believed it was possible for the US to see its goals achieved in Iraq.
    He said security was attainable, but it would not be achieved quickly, warning that the path would be punctuated by setbacks.He said security was attainable, but it would not be achieved quickly, warning that the path would be punctuated by setbacks.
    General's warning Pull-out warning
    Gen Petraeus told the joint committees that troop numbers could be reduced to pre-surge level by next summer without jeopardising the security situation in Iraq. A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.
    Gen Petraeus told the committees that troop numbers could be eventually reduced to pre-surge level without jeopardising the security situation.
    SURGE HEARINGS - KEY DATES 10 Sept - Gen Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker begin two days of testimony in Congress12 Sept - White House report to be released 13 Sept - President Bush TV address is expected Key quotes from hearing Buying time on Iraq US surge has failed - poll SURGE HEARINGS - KEY DATES 10 Sept - Gen Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker begin two days of testimony in Congress12 Sept - White House report to be released 13 Sept - President Bush TV address is expected Key quotes from hearing Buying time on Iraq US surge has failed - poll
    But he warned that "a premature draw-down of our forces would likely have devastating consequences". But he warned that "a premature draw-down" would have "devastating consequences".
    "While noting that the situation in Iraq remains complex, difficult and sometimes downright frustrating, I also believe that it is possible to achieve our objectives in Iraq over time, although doing so will be neither quick, nor easy," he said."While noting that the situation in Iraq remains complex, difficult and sometimes downright frustrating, I also believe that it is possible to achieve our objectives in Iraq over time, although doing so will be neither quick, nor easy," he said.
    Before Gen Petraeus began his testimony, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos, Democrat, said President Bush's policies in Iraq had "created a fiasco".Before Gen Petraeus began his testimony, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos, Democrat, said President Bush's policies in Iraq had "created a fiasco".
    Mr Lantos also called for a dramatic change of course, and said the US needed to get out of Iraq immediately.Mr Lantos also called for a dramatic change of course, and said the US needed to get out of Iraq immediately.
    Iran plays a harmful role in Iraq Ryan CrockerUS ambassador to Iraq Profile: Ryan Crocker Profile: Gen PetraeusIran plays a harmful role in Iraq Ryan CrockerUS ambassador to Iraq Profile: Ryan Crocker Profile: Gen Petraeus
    Gen Petraeus said his testimony had not been cleared by the Pentagon or the White House before he gave it, and that he had written it himself.Gen Petraeus said his testimony had not been cleared by the Pentagon or the White House before he gave it, and that he had written it himself.
    His testimony was slightly delayed after a microphone did not work. Several hecklers were also removed from the hearing. His statement was slightly delayed after a microphone did not work. Several hecklers were also removed from the hearing.
    Shortly before his testimony, the US military said nine of its troops died in Iraq on Monday, including seven in what it described as a vehicle accident in Baghdad.Shortly before his testimony, the US military said nine of its troops died in Iraq on Monday, including seven in what it described as a vehicle accident in Baghdad.
    Iraq surveyIraq survey
    The Congressional hearings come as a new opinion poll suggested about 70% of Iraqis believe security has deteriorated in the area covered by the surge.The Congressional hearings come as a new opinion poll suggested about 70% of Iraqis believe security has deteriorated in the area covered by the surge.
    When I leave my house for university every morning... my life is in God's hands Ahmed Tadhom al-Shiva,Baghdad University lecturer Viewpoints: Iraq surge Reports on Iraq to Congress Send us your commentsWhen I leave my house for university every morning... my life is in God's hands Ahmed Tadhom al-Shiva,Baghdad University lecturer Viewpoints: Iraq surge Reports on Iraq to Congress Send us your comments
    The survey by the BBC, ABC News and NHK of more than 2,000 people across Iraq also suggests that nearly 60% see attacks on US-led troops as justified.The survey by the BBC, ABC News and NHK of more than 2,000 people across Iraq also suggests that nearly 60% see attacks on US-led troops as justified.
    However, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said violence since the surge began had fallen 75% in the provinces of Baghdad and Anbar, and that 14,000 militants linked to al-Qaeda had renounced violence.However, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said violence since the surge began had fallen 75% in the provinces of Baghdad and Anbar, and that 14,000 militants linked to al-Qaeda had renounced violence.
    "We have succeeded in preventing Iraq from sliding into the abyss of a sectarian war which was threatening our beloved country," Mr Maliki told the Iraqi parliament on Monday."We have succeeded in preventing Iraq from sliding into the abyss of a sectarian war which was threatening our beloved country," Mr Maliki told the Iraqi parliament on Monday.
    BBC defence correspondent Rob Watson says rarely has the testimony of a US general to Congress received so much advanced billing.BBC defence correspondent Rob Watson says rarely has the testimony of a US general to Congress received so much advanced billing.
    He says Gen Petraeus has become something of a talisman for President Bush - the commander he has entrusted to rescue his policy in Iraq.He says Gen Petraeus has become something of a talisman for President Bush - the commander he has entrusted to rescue his policy in Iraq.
    President Bush is hoping the general's more upbeat message on security will be enough to stave off calls for a timeline for a US withdrawal, our correspondent says.President Bush is hoping the general's more upbeat message on security will be enough to stave off calls for a timeline for a US withdrawal, our correspondent says.
    Last Thursday Democrats seized on a report from a key US security commission recommending a cut in troop numbers by early 2008.Last Thursday Democrats seized on a report from a key US security commission recommending a cut in troop numbers by early 2008.
    Mr Bush, who decides on force levels in Iraq, has said he will follow advice from commanders on the ground, rather than bowing to political pressure.Mr Bush, who decides on force levels in Iraq, has said he will follow advice from commanders on the ground, rather than bowing to political pressure.