thedrifter
01-15-07, 02:26 PM
Casey: Quick success in Baghdad unlikely
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Jan 15, 2007 9:39:11 EST
BAGHDAD — There are no guarantees of overall success or quick results in the new U.S.-Iraqi security drive in Baghdad, Gen. George Casey, the U.S. commander in Iraq, said on Monday.
He told reporters he did not expect significant results until the summer and fall, for the first time putting a time frame around the new plan that was announced Wednesday by President Bush.
“As with any plan, there are no guarantees of success, and it’s not going to happen overnight, but with sustained political support and the concentrated efforts on all sides, I believe that this plan can work,” Casey told a news conference.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, who joined Casey at the podium, declared that there were no deadlines being imposed on the Iraqis to take action against gunmen, but the pressure was a perception that existed because of the Shiite-dominated government’s failure in the past to weed out Shiite militia fighters.
“The statements that have been made about the urgency for action reflects this doubt or concern that exists in many places about whether the Iraqis or the Iraqi leadership will decide to do what’s necessary,” Khalilzad said.
“I’ve discussed these issues with the prime minister and he’s said they need to move, not because of what we say or what’s said in Washington, but he has said ‘we have to move to secure the capital city because of Iraqi interests,”’ the U.S. envoy said.
Casey also said the security drive might take months to show results.
“I think you’ll see a gradual evolution over the next two to three months, and then you’ll see things continue to get better up through the summer and fall. It’ll take some time,” Casey said.
Casey said he believed success for this attempt — the third in less than a year — to curb sectarian violence in Baghdad could succeed because the country’s political leaders voiced a deeper commitment and had vowed not to protect any armed group, as it has in the past.
“We have been here before ... but what’s different is a stronger level of political commitment from the government and a better organization on the Iraqi side to help their own plan succeed. And I will tell you, yes, there are still difficulties with the Iraqi security forces. That has been a challenge,” said Casey, who will cede command of U.S. forces to Gen. David Petraeus.
Petraeus has served two 12-month stints in Iraq.
Casey also asserted that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had approved the insertion of 21,500 new American troops into Iraq and would be consulted on all future U.S. troop additions or withdrawals.
Ellie
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Jan 15, 2007 9:39:11 EST
BAGHDAD — There are no guarantees of overall success or quick results in the new U.S.-Iraqi security drive in Baghdad, Gen. George Casey, the U.S. commander in Iraq, said on Monday.
He told reporters he did not expect significant results until the summer and fall, for the first time putting a time frame around the new plan that was announced Wednesday by President Bush.
“As with any plan, there are no guarantees of success, and it’s not going to happen overnight, but with sustained political support and the concentrated efforts on all sides, I believe that this plan can work,” Casey told a news conference.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, who joined Casey at the podium, declared that there were no deadlines being imposed on the Iraqis to take action against gunmen, but the pressure was a perception that existed because of the Shiite-dominated government’s failure in the past to weed out Shiite militia fighters.
“The statements that have been made about the urgency for action reflects this doubt or concern that exists in many places about whether the Iraqis or the Iraqi leadership will decide to do what’s necessary,” Khalilzad said.
“I’ve discussed these issues with the prime minister and he’s said they need to move, not because of what we say or what’s said in Washington, but he has said ‘we have to move to secure the capital city because of Iraqi interests,”’ the U.S. envoy said.
Casey also said the security drive might take months to show results.
“I think you’ll see a gradual evolution over the next two to three months, and then you’ll see things continue to get better up through the summer and fall. It’ll take some time,” Casey said.
Casey said he believed success for this attempt — the third in less than a year — to curb sectarian violence in Baghdad could succeed because the country’s political leaders voiced a deeper commitment and had vowed not to protect any armed group, as it has in the past.
“We have been here before ... but what’s different is a stronger level of political commitment from the government and a better organization on the Iraqi side to help their own plan succeed. And I will tell you, yes, there are still difficulties with the Iraqi security forces. That has been a challenge,” said Casey, who will cede command of U.S. forces to Gen. David Petraeus.
Petraeus has served two 12-month stints in Iraq.
Casey also asserted that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had approved the insertion of 21,500 new American troops into Iraq and would be consulted on all future U.S. troop additions or withdrawals.
Ellie