Visiting Generals React to Iraq Situation
Published by News 14 Carolina on August 4, 2007
The president's comments were welcome news to many military families -- and others -- looking for a reduction in the U.S. military presence in Iraq.
"Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker tell me if the kind of success we are now seeing continues it will be possible to maintain security with fewer Americans," said President George W. Bush.
The president hinted at possible troop withdrawals during a visit the week before the commander of U.S. Forces in Iraq and the American ambassador to Iraq are due to give Congress a report on the troop surge, numbering about 30,000.
While in Greensboro over the Labor Day break, senior North Carolina Sen. Elizabeth Dole talked about Iraq after a meeting with local sheriffs.
She's adopted a wait-and-see attitude.
"Let's see where the Iraqis are by that time, but they simply have not stepped up to the plate the way they should, and it's been very disappointing in terms of the Iraqis," Dole said.
The president said some troops could be sent home if security continues to improve, but a pair of retired generals visiting North Carolina to discuss security challenges say the U.S. can't continue to fight the counter-insurgency in Iraq.
"It's much easier to go in than get out," said retired Army Brig. Gen. John Johns. "We will have a presence there for quite a while. The issue is, what kind of presence."
Johns and retired Lt. Gen. Robert Gard are involved with the Washington-based Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. They think the war in Iraq destroyed an existing government and infrastructure that kept a lid on intense regional tribal tensions.
"It is absolutely essential to come to some sort of consensus with other countries in the region to ensure they're not working at cross purposes," said Gard.
Gard thinks a United Nations presence may be needed due to the intense anti-American sentiment in the region.
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