WASHINGTON, Sept 12 (NNN-KUNA) — For the second day in a row, the two top US officials in Iraq struggled on the Senate floor to defend US troops build-up in Iraq and the sustainability of the military commitment in spite of political disarray in Baghdad.
“An Iraq that falls into chaos or civil war will mean massive human suffering well beyond what has already occurred within Iraq’s borders. It could well invite the intervention of regional states, all of which see their future connected to Iraq’s in some fundamental way,” said US Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker in a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“Undoubtedly, Iran would be a winner in such a scenario, consolidating its influence over Iraqi resources and possibly territory … In such an environment, the gains made against al Qaeda and other extremist groups could easily evaporate,” he added.
“A rapid withdrawal would result in the further release of the strong centrifugal forces in Iraq and produce a number of dangerous results, including a high risk of disintegration of the Iraqi security forces, rapid deterioration of local security initiatives, al Qaeda-Iraq regaining lost ground and freedom of manoeuvre, a marked increase in violence, and further ethno-sectarian displacement and refugee flows, alliances of convenience by Iraqi groups with internal and external forces to gain advantages over their rivals,” echoed US Commander in Iraq General David Petraeus in his own testimony.
US President George W. Bush authorised last January a troops surge, bringing the US military up 30,000 to 168,000 soldiers deployed between February and June, mainly to secure Baghdad and its neighbourhoods, and later this week Bush and his National Security team will deliver a compiled report to Congress as required by the 2007 Supplemental Appropriations Bill.
The top US diplomat in Baghdad said that “a secure, stable, democratic Iraq at peace with its neighbours is attainable”, but this would requires time and “substantial US resolve and commitment”.
“Iraq is experiencing a revolution, not just regime change,” he added noting that Iraqi leaders are addressing immediate complex problems before reaching a national reconciliation.
“The surge have helped change the dynamics in Iraq for the better. The involvement and support of the United States will continue to be hugely important in shaping a positive outcome,” said Crocker noting that success in Iraq is not guaranteed.
The questioning on the Senate floor was more harsh for Crocker and Petraeus than the House Committees Monday as five presidential candidates, between Democrats and Republicans, are leading members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Armed Services Committee where the two top US officials in Iraq are scheduled to appear later Tuesday.
“While starting to leave Iraq is necessary, it is not enough. We also have to shape what we leave behind, so that we do not trade a dictator for chaos,” said the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Joe Biden in the hearing.
“There is no trust within that central government in Baghdad, no trust of the government by the people, and no capacity of that government to deliver security and services,” he added pointing out that the troops surge is serving “a flawed strategy” in Iraq and political progress in Baghdad will not occur “in the lifetime of any of us”.
“Some type of success in Iraq is possible, but as policymakers, we should acknowledge that we are facing extraordinarily narrow margins for achieving our goals,” said the ranking Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee Richard Lugar.
“A surge must not be an excuse for failing to prepare for the next phase of our involvement, whether that is a partial withdrawal, a gradual redeployment or some other option,” he added.
Petraeus said in his six-hour testimony Monday before a joint hearing of the House Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees that troops level will be restored to pre-surge mode by next summer, bringing down the number of soldiers by 30,000 to 130,000 and a Marine contingent would be the first combat force to leave Iraq later this month, leaving the door open for withdrawal plans after July 2008.
“Beyond that, while noting that the situation in Iraq remains complex, difficult and sometimes downright frustrating, I also believe that it is possible for us to achieve our objectives in Iraq over time, though doing so will be neither quick nor easy,” said Petraeus in the Senate hearing.
“Coalition and Iraqi security forces have made progress toward achieving sustainable security. As a result, the United States will be in a position to reduce its forces in Iraq in the months ahead,” he added.