Hill Reacts to Petraeus and Crocker Iraq Reports

Press Release

Hill Reacts to Petraeus and Crocker Iraq Reports

(Washington, DC) - "Monday afternoon General David H. Petraeus, Commander, Multi-National Force - Iraq, and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq, appeared before a joint hearing of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services to present their respective reports on the present situation in Iraq and the efficacy of the surge. I find their reports highly contradictory to two other independent reports mandated by the Iraq supplemental funding bill.

We must put General Petraeus' reports of successes in Iraq in perspective. The other two reports on the present situation in Iraq - from the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office, David M. Walker, and from a commission of retired military leaders headed by former Marine General James L. Jones, R. - sharply contrast to General Petraeus' statements. For example, Comptroller General Walker reports that the Baghdad government, led by the ineffective Iraqi President Mailiki, has failed to meet 11 of the 18 benchmarks set forth by Congress. Similarly, General Jones reports widespread corruption and malaise among the Iraqi Security Forces and projects they will not be able to control the country for several years to come. That said, he suggests a significant drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq.

We must also remember President Bush's stated intention of the surge: to create breathing room for the Iraqi government to make political progress. They have not. Even Ambassador Crocker was quick to concede yesterday that the Iraqi Parliament has failed to pass a single key piece of legislation.

General Petraeus spoke of American military successes in Iraq. Such successes come as no surprise as our troops have performed brilliantly throughout this war. Yet 70 percent of Iraqis believe that security has worsened since the surge began. It's time to re-evaluate the present strategy in Iraq.

In addition, we must re-examine the effects the War in Iraq has on our overall national security. I believe this war has had a devastating impact on our Armed Forces, National Guard and Reservists. Although General Petraeus did speak of a drawdown of troops, his plans simply entail reducing the number of U.S. forces in Iraq to pre-surge levels. This is the same ‘stay-the-course' strategy that I have consistently rejected.

I believe it is time to begin the process of safely redeploying our troops out of Iraq. We have lost focus as to our goal, our enemy and our purpose. We must refocus our troops' efforts to confront terrorism on its front lines and bring our National Guardsmen and Reservists home."

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