Commanders in Iraq Challenge Petraeus on Pullout Risk

[kpete]

Source: InterPress Service

POLITICS: Commanders in Iraq Challenge Petraeus on Pullout Risk
By Gareth Porter*

WASHINGTON, Feb 17 (IPS) - CENTCOM Commander General David Petraeus and Multinational Force Iraq (MNF-I) Commander General Ray Odierno have submitted assessments of Iraq combat troop withdrawal plans to President Barack Obama based on the premise that his 16-month withdrawal plan would pose significantly greater risk to "security gains" than the 23-month plan they favour.

But a senior commander in Iraq appeared to contradict that premise last week by declaring that security gains in the Shi'a provinces of Iraq are "permanent", and a field commander in Iraq says there is no objective basis for any Petraeus-Odierno finding that Obama's plan carries greater risk than their 23-month plan.

Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, U.S. commander for the eight southern provinces of Iraq, denied in remarks to reporters Feb. 12 that the security gains in that region were fragile, contrary to the premise that Odierno has publicly asserted. Oates cited the dramatic reduction in activities by Shi'a militia fighters and the holding of the Jan. 31 elections without any major attacks.

In a previous press briefing Jan. 14, Oates had told reporters that, even if violence were to break out after provincial elections, Iraqi security forces "are well prepared to handle that"

Read more: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45795

[babylonsister]

1. Makes me wonder why Petreus and Odierno seem to want to

prolong this.

[AndyTiedye]

3. Makes Me Wonder Why Petreus is Still Wearing That Uniform

Petreus is trying to undermine Obama and his Iraq policies.
Active-duty military officers are not supposed to do that.
Petreus should be fired.

Bring back some of the generals that Bush** fired.

[pasto76]

4. Because General Petraues is a neo-conservative too

remember the Rove strategy for a "permanent republican majority" by politicizing every department and agency in the government and making appointments based on political loyalty instead of competence?

Yeah, it happened in the military too. Specifically the army. General Shinseki, in hindsight, was right on. But not too enamoured by Bush. So he had to go.

[pasto76]

5. this is really encouraging.

Petreus and Odierno should be brought up on Article 88 charges.

[saigon68]

2. Looks like its never-ending RELIGIOUS War kids

[classysassy]

6. Give Oated four stars

and send betrayus home.

[classysassy]

7. Otes