Top US Officials in Iraq Return to Capitol Hill for Questioning
By VOA News
09 April 2008
The top U.S. military commander in Iraq says the situation in certain areas is still unsatisfactory, and many challenges remain despite significant progress in the war.
General David Petraeus is giving his second day of congressional testimony on the war.
He told the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee that Iraq's progress is uneven and fragile -- and that al-Qaida in Iraq remains a lethal threat.
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker testified that current progress in Iraq shows the strategy of the U.S. build-up of troops -- known as the surge -- is working.
He said the U.S. should remain engaged in Iraq -- but added that does not mean U.S. support should be open-ended.
Crocker also said the United States has begun negotiating a bilateral agreement with Iraq on long-term cooperation. He said the proposed deal will not include allowing permanent U.S. bases in Iraq.
Both officials also will appear later Wednesday afternoon before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
On Tuesday, General Petraeus told a U.S. Senate committee that he recommends a pause in troop withdrawals from Iraq. He said there should be an evaluation period after drawing down thousands of extra troops in July that were sent last year as part of the surge.
His recommendation would leave just under 140,000 U.S. troops in Iraq past September.
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