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| Democrats attack Iraq testimony | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The two leading US figures in Iraq are facing criticism at a hearing in Congress from Democratic presidential candidates opposed to the war. | The two leading US figures in Iraq are facing criticism at a hearing in Congress from Democratic presidential candidates opposed to the war. |
| One, Sen Joe Biden, told military commander Gen David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker that the troop build-up had failed to achieve peace. | One, Sen Joe Biden, told military commander Gen David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker that the troop build-up had failed to achieve peace. |
| The two are facing a second day of testimony before a Congressional panel. | The two are facing a second day of testimony before a Congressional panel. |
| They repeated their contention that the military "surge" in Iraq was working, and warned against a rapid withdrawal. | They repeated their contention that the military "surge" in Iraq was working, and warned against a rapid withdrawal. |
| Sen Biden said the build-up, which began in February, had failed to promote reconciliation between Iraq's Sunni and Shia communities and was at best "a stopgap that will not prevent chaos". | Sen Biden said the build-up, which began in February, had failed to promote reconciliation between Iraq's Sunni and Shia communities and was at best "a stopgap that will not prevent chaos". |
| He concluded: "We should stop the surge and start bringing our troops home." | |
| See US troop positions before and after the surge | See US troop positions before and after the surge |
| Sen John Kerry - the defeated Democratic candidate in the 2004 election - questioned the commitment of the Iraqi politicians who he said were stalling while US soldiers sacrificed their lives | |
| Some type of success in Iraq is possible Gen David Petraeus href="/1/hi/world/americas/6989645.stm">Media unimpressed by report "Is it acceptable that young Americans are dying and being grievously wounded while Iraqi politicians delay and delay and delay meeting their own standards?" he asked. | |
| Senators questioning Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker will later include presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Christopher Dodd. | |
| Although all are opponents of the war, they differ on how the US should withdraw. | |
| Iraqi warning | Iraqi warning |
| BBC defence and security correspondent Rob Watson says the senators' questions will be watched carefully by the party's grassroots supporters, where opinion is running strongly against the continued presence of US troops. | |
| PETRAEUS - KEY POINTS Sectarian violence declined since surge started30,000 US troops likely withdrawn by mid-2008Decision on further troop cuts expected in March Situation in Iraq remains difficult Key quotes from hearing General Petraeus: Report to Congress [64 KB] General Petraeus: Report charts [64 KB] Ambassador Crocker: Report to Congress [64 KB] Most computers will open these documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
| During Tuesday's testimony Gen Petraeus again insisted that the increase in US troop levels had reduced the violence and insisted that "some type of success in Iraq is possible". | |
| Mr Crocker agreed that the surge had "helped change dynamics in Iraq for the better". | |
| "I do believe that Iraq's leaders have the will to tackle the country's pressing problems, although it will take longer than we initially anticipated," he said. | |
| Mr Crocker also emphasised signs of economic progress, pointing to a projected 6% growth for the Iraqi economy in 2007. | |
| During Monday's joint hearing of the House of Representatives Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, Gen Petraeus said violence had declined since more US troops were sent to Iraq this year. | |
| "Security incidents", including sectarian violence, had declined since the start of the surge, he said. | |
| Americans give their views on the situation in IraqIn pictures | Americans give their views on the situation in IraqIn pictures |
| He added that about 30,000 troops could be withdrawn by the middle of next year. | |
| Also on Monday, Republican Duncan Hunter defended the general, saying US progress had led to gains by Iraqi security forces, including an army that was "beginning to emerge as a professional force". | |
| Iraqi National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie praised the US' "enormous sacrifice" and predicted a reduced combat role for US troops. | Iraqi National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie praised the US' "enormous sacrifice" and predicted a reduced combat role for US troops. |
| But he cautioned against a quick US withdrawal, saying Iraq needed coalition soldiers until its own security forces were self-reliant. | But he cautioned against a quick US withdrawal, saying Iraq needed coalition soldiers until its own security forces were self-reliant. |
| 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. |
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