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US surge plan in Iraq 'working' US surge plan in Iraq 'working'
(30 minutes 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.
He told a Congressional panel that although improvements were "uneven", violence had declined significantly since the surge began in February.He told a Congressional panel that although improvements were "uneven", violence had declined significantly since the surge began in February.
Both Gen Petraeus and US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker are testifying.Both Gen Petraeus and US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker are testifying.
The hearings have been billed as "make or break" for President George W Bush's policy in Iraq.The hearings have been billed as "make or break" for President George W Bush's policy in Iraq.
In his testimony before the joint hearing by the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, Gen Petraeus said: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 since the start of the surge
  • "security incidents", including sectarian violence, had declined since the start of the surge
  • he envisioned the withdrawal of some 30,000 US troops by the middle of 2008, 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
  • 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.
    Pull-out warningPull-out warning
    A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.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" would have "devastating consequences". Gen Petraeus told the committees that troop numbers could be eventually reduced to pre-surge level without jeopardising the security situation.
    "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. But he warned that a premature reduction would have "devastating consequences".
    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". "It is possible to achieve our objectives in Iraq over time, although doing so will be neither quick, nor easy," he said.
    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 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 statement was slightly delayed after a microphone did not work. Several hecklers were also removed from the hearing. Before he began his testimony, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos, a Democrat, said President Bush's policies in Iraq had "created a fiasco".
    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. Iran plays a harmful role in Iraq Ryan CrockerUS ambassador to Iraq class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6585551.stm">Profile: Ryan Crocker class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6250043.stm">Profile: Gen Petraeus
    He said the objective of the surge was to buy time for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki to end sectarian violence and secure a political settlement between sectarian groups.
    "As best we can see, that time has been utterly squandered," he said.
    "We need to get out of Iraq, for that country's sake and for our own."
    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, Mr Maliki said violence since the surge began had fallen 75% in the provinces of Baghdad and Anbar and that a sectarian war had been prevented.
    "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 Gen Petraeus has become something of a talisman for President Bush - the commander he has entrusted to rescue his policy in Iraq.
    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.
    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.