Kerry, Kennedy Grill Petraeus on Iraq Progress
KERRY
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Jason Millman
Boston University Washington News Service
April 8, 2008
WASHINGTON – Massachusetts Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry pressed Gen. David Petraeus Tuesday to say if U.S. involvement in Iraq is still worthwhile as the general, the top military commander in Iraq, raised doubts about whether political progress in the country can be sustained.
Mr. Kerry, who traveled to the Middle East last month, said leaders of ethnic sects in Iraq told him continued U.S. occupation allows sectarian conflicts to continue because the U.S. presence provides little motivation for the groups to reconcile.
Gen. Petraeus, who last spoke to Congress in September, said the security U.S. forces provide promotes stability among the groups.
“When we do see a spirited compromise, it’s something when the leaders and the communities behind them are feeling relatively secure,” the general.told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
In two Senate committee hearings Tuesday, Gen. Petraeus touted the political progress and decreasing violence in Iraq, but he repeatedly cautioned that sectarian violence could erupt again at any time.
As Democrats grilled Gen. Petraeus on how much longer he believes the United States should remain in Iraq, Sen. Kennedy asked him to estimate when Iraqi troops will be ready to take over complete command.
“It’s time to put the Iraqis on notice that our troops will not remain forever so they will take the essential steps to resolve their differences,” the senator said.
Mr. Kennedy, who said the United States has spent almost $24 billion on the Iraqi military in the past five years, raised concern over reports that 1,000 Iraqi soldiers last month deserted Basra, where Iraqi troops carried out a strike against Shia insurgents.
“They are fighting and dying for their country in substantive numbers,” Gen. Petraeus said about Iraqi forces. “Their losses are three times our losses.”
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