Hunter: Security Gains in Iraq Are Clear; Enabled Nascent Government to Enact Significant Legislative Accomplishments

Apr 8, 2008
Press Release

Contact: Josh Holly; 202.226.3988 

Hunter: Security Gains in Iraq Are Clear; Enabled Nascent Government to Enact Significant Legislative Accomplishments 

Washington D.C. – The House Armed Services Committee today turned its focus to America’s top military commander and diplomat in Iraq.  General David Petraeus, commander of Multi-National Forces-Iraq, and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker provided Members of the committee with an update on the military, political and economic developments in Iraq.  Armed Services Committee Ranking Republican Duncan Hunter (R-CA) released the following opening statement: 

“Before I get into the substance of today’s topic, I want to note that both of our witnesses have traveled halfway around the world to honor a commitment that they voluntarily made last fall: to provide Congress—and the American people—with an update on the military, economic and political elements of the President’s strategy for Iraq.  Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus, we recognize the sacrifices that you and your families have made in service of our great nation.  We appreciate your leadership and willingness to serve.  

“Mr. Chairman, fifteen months ago, President Bush announced a military ‘surge’ of over 20,000 additional U.S. combat forces to stabilize and secure Iraq and therefore allow space for political and economic progress.  No one can deny that the security situation in Iraq has improved.  For example, until Prime Minister Maliki launched his offensive against criminal elements in Basra late last month, overall violence levels had decreased to levels that were last seen consistently in early 2005.  Since June, nationwide attacks had fallen by more than 60 percent, civilian and coalition deaths had dropped by more than 70 percent, and deaths from ethno-sectarian violence were down about 90 percent.  Security incidents in al-Anbar Province—a province previously considered ‘lost’ to al-Qaeda in Iraq—had decreased about 90 percent since January 2007. 

“These security gains were clear.  And as a result of these gains, the Iraqi government was able to enact the necessary de-Baathification, provincial powers and pensions laws, as well as their 2008 budget, and continue work on provincial elections and hydrocarbons laws.  For a new democracy, these are significant accomplishments. 

“Now some media outlets, experts and others note that the recent operations in Basra and elsewhere have highlighted the failure of Prime Minister Maliki to lead effectively.  I disagree.  I see those operations as demonstrating Iraqi willingness to do the very things that we Americans have been pressing them to do—most importantly, to take responsibility for their own security.  The Iraqi government and security forces planned, timed, and executed Operation Charge of the Knights, launching this offensive against subversive criminal elements in Basra on their own and requesting coalition support, as needed.  Operationally, the Iraqi forces may not have performed as well as we would have liked, but look at the positive lessons learned from this engagement: 

·        “Despite some desertions, Iraqi Security Forces generally responded to their civilian leadership and proved willing to engage criminals and elements of Shiite militias; 

·        “Those Iraqi Security Forces have now experienced the heat of battle, gaining valuable combat experience; 

·        “These operations highlighted areas where Iraqi Security Forces require additional attention, whether in combat training or in key logistics and enabling capabilities and 

·        “Perhaps most importantly, Prime Minister Maliki demonstrated his willingness to rout out criminal elements that are destabilizing his nation, even if those elements happen to be his fellow Shiites. 

“So today, I would like to hear from our witnesses whether these are, in fact, the key lessons learned from recent operations in Basra and elsewhere.  I also invite our witnesses to discuss the role of Iranian forces in those operations, as well as Iranian influences throughout the Iraq nation, and to provide their best advice regarding how best to address the activities of Iran and other outside actors within Iraq.

“Mr. Chairman, our troops are doing a great job over there, and that is due in large part to the two men sitting before us.  Thank you for holding this hearing, and I look forward to the testimony of our distinguished witnesses.” 

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https://Republicans.ArmedServices.House.Gov/