Petraeus, Crocker Testifying to US Lawmakers for Second Day
11 September 2007
The top U.S. military commander and diplomat in Iraq are telling U.S. lawmakers again Tuesday about the progress and frustrations they have seen in Iraq.
Ambassador Ryan Crocker told a Senate hearing Tuesday there is an enormous amount of what he called "dysfunctionality" in the Iraqi central government. But he said progress on the local level could spur national reconciliation.
General David Petraeus said the U.S. military surge is working, and he expects to begin reducing the number of American troops during the next year. President Bush had ordered the build-up of troops to lessen violence and give the Iraqi government time to become better organized. General Petraeus also expressed frustration with national political efforts.
Democratic Senator Joe Biden said Americans will not support a war whose "sole remaining purpose" is to prevent the situation from becoming worse.
He argued it is time to stop the surge.
General Petraeus said the eight-month troop build-up has led to a reduction in civilian casualties and that other military goals are largely being met. He said the 30,000 additional troops could be home by the middle of next year.
Ambassador Crocker said abandoning U.S. efforts would cause massive human suffering and possibly a regional conflict.
The general said that he is encouraged that the rejection of al-Qaida in Iraq by tribal leaders in Anbar province is spreading to other areas. He also said he will deliver another report on the situation in Iraq next March.
Proceedings before the House of Representatives Monday and Tuesday's Senate hearings were interrupted at various times by anti-war protesters, who were removed from the room and arrested.
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