Petraeus cites violence decline in Iraq

[Horse with no Name]

Source: Yahoo

BAGHDAD - Citing a 60 percent decline in violence in Iraq over the last six months, Gen. David Petraeus said Thursday that maintaining security is easier than establishing it and gives him more flexibility in deploying forces.

Armed with charts showing that as of Wednesday, weekly attacks and Iraqi civilian deaths have plunged to levels not seen here since early 2006, Petraeus said the reduction lets him make force adjustments to address remaining problem areas, which would include northern Iraq.

Speaking to reporters at the U.S. military's Camp Victory, he said the improved security is due to a number of factors including a "a reduction in some of the signature attacks that are associated with weapons provide by Iran," as well as a key cease-fire called by radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in what had been one of the most violent areas of Baghdad.

Still, Petreaus, who is scheduled to give Congress and the American people an update next March on progress in Iraq, and map out some plans for U.S. force levels down the road, refused to offer too much optimism.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071206/ap_on_re_mi_ea/gates_iraq

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Amazingly enough, if we keep redefining how we define violence...by the time we are done, the war will just have been a figment of our imagination.

[cboy4]

1. Suuure. It won't be long before he starts telling everyone

you can't tell the difference between Baghdad and Miami Beach. :eyes:

[DCKit]

2. Doesn't Lindsay Graham have that one trademarked? n/t

[cboy4]

3. Perhaps. I confuse all the nuts in the basket.

If you listen to John McCain, Baghdad is now safer than a majority of American cities.

[951-Riverside]

4. Patraeus Cites Violence Decline in Iraq

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

BAGHDAD (AP) -- Citing a 60 percent decline in violence in Iraq over the last six months, Gen. David Petraeus said Thursday that maintaining security is easier than establishing it and gives him more flexibility in deploying forces.

Armed with charts showing that as of Wednesday, weekly attacks and Iraqi civilian deaths have plunged to levels not seen here since early 2006, Petraeus said the reduction lets him make force adjustments to address remaining problem areas, which would include northern Iraq.

Speaking to reporters at the U.S. military's Camp Victory, he said the improved security is due to a number of factors including a "a reduction in some of the signature attacks that are associated with weapons provided by Iran," as well as a key cease-fire called by radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in what had been one of the most violent areas of Baghdad.

And he said there has been a "reduction in some of the signature attacks" associated with insurgents using Iranian weapons, including deadly armor-piercing rounds.

But, he added, that it is "hard to tell if that's because there has already been a cessation of provision of those items, or if there has been direction to stop."

At the same time, he said the military has detained individuals as recently as October who were trained by Iranians, evidence that the instruction has continued.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/G/GATES_IRAQ?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-12-06-04-37-02

[Flatline]

5. Violence declined cause he is having troops shoot

Everyone on site Don't ask Don't tell attitude.

[boricua79]

6. great...and what happens when we leave?

It's not a success if it's just the insurgents waiting us out.

That's always been the elephant in the room. We want to get out of there (or claim we want to get out of there) in a few years. These people are bidding their time for the future. They live there.

[bif]

7. Yeah! Maybe I should plan a summer vacation in Iraq!

Those guys would never lie, would they?

[creeksneakers2]

8. Great

If things are going that well its time to send some of our troops home and let the Iraqis take over.