Petraeus explains Iraq’s link to U.S. security, responds to criticism

Courtesy of Multi-National Force Iraq

Thursday, 13 September 2007

Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq (right), and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace, fly to the Green Zone and survey the sites along the way in Baghdad, July 16, 2007. File photo by Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen, Joint Combat Camera Center.

WASHINGTON — The top commander and diplomat in Iraq told reporters at the National Press Club today that what happens in Iraq is critical to long-term U.S. security.

“Achieving our national interest in Iraq is very important” and a critical part of the overall U.S. national strategy to make the country safer, said Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multi-National Force-Iraq. “The central front of al Qaeda’s global war on terror is in Iraq.”

Petraeus was joined at the Press Club event by U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker.

Petraeus repeated the statement he made yesterday to the Senate Armed Services Committee that he couldn’t spell out exactly what impact al Qaeda resurgence in Iraq might have on the U.S. homeland.

“I was trying very hard yesterday to avoid becoming more than the MNFI commander,” he said. “And so when I was asked about the global war on terrorism, I thought that that perhaps is a question for those who are carrying out the global war on terrorism. I'm carrying out one piece of that, which is the part that is prosecuted inside Iraq.”

Petraeus said the U.S. strategy in Iraq is showing progress in flushing out al Qaeda and other extremists and reducing violence. Coalition and Iraqi operations have left al Qaeda “considerably diminished” and “much more on the run” than Petraeus said he could recall since they established themselves there. “We believe that al Qaeda in Iraq is off balance,” he said.

He emphasized, however, that evidence shows al Qaeda hasn’t given up and continues working to regain territory it’s lost. The terrorist group remains “very dangerous,” he said.

Petraeus said he considers al Qaeda in Iraq “the wolf closest to the sled” because it’s been behind the most horrific attacks in Iraq and has generated the most ethno-sectarian violence. Particularly since the bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra in February 2006, this violence has been “tearing the fabric of Iraqi society,” he said.

Crocker said he’s convinced that any al Qaeda resurgence in Iraq would be devastating, not just to Iraq, but also to the United States. “We have to assume that anywhere al Qaeda can find operating room, space, the ability to organize … (and) consolidate, they are going to use that to come after us,” he said.

Petraeus and Crocker told reporters the troop surge in Iraq is showing progress in countering the threat al Qaeda and other extremists pose. They pointed to evidence of that progress: reduced violence, greater Iraqi security force responsibility, and increased tribal cooperation with Coalition efforts.

This assessment, which they delivered over the past two days to the Senate and House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, drew sharp criticism from some corners and, in some cases, personal attacks.

The general, who stated at all three congressional hearings this week that his assessment reflected his views alone -- not those of the Pentagon, the White House or Congress -- said a poem by Rudyard Kipling proved helpful as his integrity came under attack.

Kipling’s poem, “If,” begins, “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you. …” It goes on to talk about the importance of trusting yourself when others doubt you and of maintaining your principles even when you’re hated, lied about and condemned.

Pressed to comment on the attacks against him, Petraeus offered a simple response. “I disagree with the message of those who are exercising the 1st Amendment right that generations of soldiers have sought to preserve for Americans,” he said. “Some of it was just flat completely wrong, and the rest is at least more than arguable.”

Petraeus showed more of his human side as today’s news conference opened, initially telling reporters he planned to begin by reviewing the statement he’d made during the past two days of hearings.

“Actually, I’m not sure if even I can bear giving the shortened version of my opening statement for a fourth time,” he laughed. “And I know you don’t want to hear it for a fourth time.”

(Story by Donna Miles American Forces Press Service)

In other developments throughout Iraq:

• Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 13 suspected terrorists during raids Wednesday to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq’s ability to operate in central Iraq.

• Two people were freed from captivity and four others arrested and charged with kidnapping after a tip-driven raid was conducted by soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 5th Division, 6th Iraqi Army at the Salhiyah Apartments Saturday.

Stop the politics at the waters edge. We are at war

To whom it may concern,

First allow me to acknowledge that I know none of you politicians give a damn. I get it. However I am going to make my plea and my case here. In this fashion, the rest of us are able to voice our opinions.

Since before this war began, I am referring to the whole war-not just one theatre, you have been calling it a quagmire. I remember when you did so in Afghanistan. You said we could not do what the Communist USSR could not do. I'm glad to see how much faith you have in your own country's ability to defend herself. Not.

Then there were the pre-war protests. Then the anti-Bush protests. Never was there an actual pre-war protest that did not have the interests of our enemies involved with them, and you fell for it. How sad of a human being you are.

Now you are acting like the French. Let me revise that. At least the French are not are not putting up their white flags this time. How much of a coward can you be to be less than the French?

You have been beating the same drum since your inception. You have not even changed a word. You are so familiar and so stale.

You also know that if you repeat your big lies often enough, people that do not know any about will start to believe you. Great. You have given Stalin what he never could have gain on their own. Oh, what useless idiots you are!

Now. When our men and women go to war to defend our country, our lives, our way of life; shut up. We have only one commander-in-chief. You have every opportunity you need at your fingertips. Do not express your weakness to the enemy. It is not you who will pay the price, but it is you whose hands will be stained with our blood. Al-Jazeera will make sure of that.

I do not know why we are not following the Constitution and throwing you in prison for treason. It very could be due to the idiot AG who is giving his testimony about how much he does not know. What a terrible shame.

Why do you tell the media not to show our successes? Why do you not allow us to participate in this war? Why do you continue to give our secrets to the New York Times? Why are they not in prison?

Just a few questions the AMERICAN PEOPLE are asking. Oh, I know you have the big mouths. I know they get most of the attention. That is because you agree with them, and you are using them as a surrogate.

A word to wise, if there are any, in the Democrat party. You did not win on anything you said. Many of us did not bother fighting for any party because we are AMERICANS, and we want you to start acting like it as well.

What has caused my ire? Iraq war 'lost' says top Democrat by al-Jazeera.