国产热热热精品,亚洲视频久久】日韩,三级婷婷在线久久,99人妻精品视频,精品九热人人肉肉在线,AV东京热一区二区,91po在线视频观看,久久激情宗合,青青草黄色手机视频

   

US military looks to reduce role in Iraq

(AP)
Updated: 2007-08-21 10:35

In a joint statement Monday, Sens. John Warner, R-Va., and Carl Levin, D-Mich., said that while the military buildup has "produced some credible and positive results," the political outlook is darker. The senators said that during their visit to Iraq last week they told Iraqi leaders of American impatience with the lack of political progress, and "impressed upon them that time has run out in that regard."

In a separate telephone interview with reporters, Levin urged the Iraqi assembly to oust Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and replace his government with one that is less sectarian and more unifying.

Speaking to reporters in Washington by phone from Tel Aviv, Levin acknowledged that while there is broad frustration with the lack of action by the al-Maliki government, US officials cannot dictate a change in leadership there. He said he and Warner did not meet with al-Maliki when they were in Iraq this time.

In response to Levin's remarks about dumping al-Maliki, Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the National Security Council, noted that Iraqi leaders have been holding talks in recent days on ways to move toward a unified government.

Under pressure even from members of his own party to change direction in Iraq, Bush is expected to decide his next steps after hearing in September from Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, and US Ambassador Ryan Crocker, on what the US troop buildup has accomplished.

Petraeus and Crocker are likely to present their views to Congress on September 11 or 12, said Johndroe, the National Security Council spokesman. Johndroe said White House officials are consulting with congressional leaders this week on setting a date for the testimony.

Bush also will receive advice and recommendations from Defense Secretary Robert Gates as well as the Joint Chiefs and Adm. William Fallon, the top commander for American forces in the Middle East.

Petraeus and other senior commanders have said in recent weeks that the US troop buildup will end in 2008, but Petraeus has not yet recommended a follow-on strategy to Bush. Much depends on judgments about how soon Iraqi security forces will be ready to assume a bigger role, as well as the likelihood of political progress.

Speaking on Monday to a Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Kansas City, Mo., Petraeus said Americans should not underestimate the efforts of the Iraqi army and police.

In some areas, partnerships between US forces and Iraqi soldiers are "quite robust," Petraeus said. He noted that Iraqi losses have been three times as high as those suffered by the US-led coalition.

"There should be no question that Iraqi soldiers and police are dying for their country," Petraeus said.

 

      1   2     


Top World News  
Today's Top News  
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
海伦市| 双柏县| 宝鸡市| 白银市| 新竹市| 岑巩县| 巩义市| 泽州县| 英吉沙县| 玉龙| 凤庆县| 泸州市| 商河县| 曲周县| 四会市| 开鲁县| 荔浦县| 盘山县| 南川市| 永嘉县| 镇康县| 萝北县| 东方市| 伊金霍洛旗| 新郑市| 汾西县| 平南县| 宁河县| 武冈市| 离岛区| 临沭县| 弥渡县| 苏尼特右旗| 曲松县| 太仆寺旗| 平果县| 宁蒗| 遂川县| 南丹县| 阿合奇县| 怀远县|