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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Key Iraq pair to brief Congress | Key Iraq pair to brief Congress |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| President George W Bush's top military and political advisers on Iraq are set to begin two days of testimony before Congress on the US troop surge plan. | |
| Gen David Petraeus and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker are to report to four congressional committees. | |
| Gen Petraeus is expected to say that a recent 30,000 increase in troop numbers has cut sectarian violence. | Gen Petraeus is expected to say that a recent 30,000 increase in troop numbers has cut sectarian violence. |
| Correspondents say it has been billed as "make or break" for President Bush's resolve to stay the course in Iraq. | Correspondents say it has been billed as "make or break" for President Bush's resolve to stay the course in Iraq. |
| A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after the reinforcements arrived between February and June. | A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after the reinforcements arrived between February and June. |
| 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. |
| We have achieved tactical momentum and wrested the initiative from our enemies in a number of areas of Iraq Gen Petraeus | We have achieved tactical momentum and wrested the initiative from our enemies in a number of areas of Iraq Gen Petraeus |
| 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. |
| Troop cuts | Troop cuts |
| 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. |
| 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 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 Buying time on Iraq US surge has failed - poll |
| Gen Petraeus has become something of a talisman for President Bush - the general he has entrusted to rescue his policy in Iraq. | Gen Petraeus has become something of a talisman for President Bush - the general he has entrusted to rescue his policy in Iraq. |
| But there is a sense in Washington that his testimony may all be something of an anti-climax, our correspondent says. | But there is a sense in Washington that his testimony may all be something of an anti-climax, our correspondent says. |
| Gen Petraeus is expected to argue that the controversial surge strategy is working and should be extended. | Gen Petraeus is expected to argue that the controversial surge strategy is working and should be extended. |
| But it is anticipated that he will accept gradual troop cuts, beginning early next year. | But it is anticipated that he will accept gradual troop cuts, beginning early next year. |
| "We have achieved tactical momentum and wrested the initiative from our enemies in a number of areas of Iraq," Gen Petraeus wrote in a letter to US forces on Saturday. | "We have achieved tactical momentum and wrested the initiative from our enemies in a number of areas of Iraq," Gen Petraeus wrote in a letter to US forces on Saturday. |
| When I leave my house for university every morning... my life is in God's hands Ahmed Tadhom al-ShivaBaghdad University lecturer Viewpoints: Iraq surge Reports on Iraq to Congress Send us your comments | When I leave my house for university every morning... my life is in God's hands Ahmed Tadhom al-ShivaBaghdad University lecturer Viewpoints: Iraq surge Reports on Iraq to Congress Send us your comments |
| But he said political reconciliation in Baghdad had not "worked out as we had hoped", although he was optimistic "a stable and secure Iraq" was possible. | But he said political reconciliation in Baghdad had not "worked out as we had hoped", although he was optimistic "a stable and secure Iraq" was possible. |
| 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 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. |
| 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 force levels 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 force levels in Iraq, has said he will follow advice from commanders on the ground, rather than bowing to political pressure, to make his decision. |