Published: April 15, 2008 01:04 pm            

The general speaks

In his remarks before a congressional committee this week, Gen. David Petraeus painted a picture of an improved security situation in Iraq, but made it clear that recent gains are “reversible.” Answering questions from lawmakers, including all three major candidates for president, Petraeus cited substantial reductions in violence in most regions of Iraq.

Opponents of the war were quick to point to the ongoing street battles in the Baghdad slum Sadr City and in Basra as examples of the failure of U.S. policy, but Petraeus made it clear that those operations were part of the grim task of strengthening the Iraqi regime.

In fact, the willingness of Iraqi leadership to take on the Shiite militia (primarily the Mahdi Army) and the performance of the steadily improving Iraqi army should be viewed as positive developments.

By remaining steadfast in its support for the government, the United States is helping to buy valuable time for the Iraqi central government. Petraeus’ comments to Congress illustrated this fact clearly and effectively.

It’s a message the American public should understand and support.



The Daily Citizen

        

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