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Rumsfeld Says Success In Iraq Requires Patience, Progress

Goal is a peaceful, prosperous Iraq with representative government

By Merle D. Kellerhals, Jr.
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told congressional committees June 23 that it would be a mistake to set deadlines for changes in U.S. force levels in Iraq.

Changing force levels at this stage "would throw a lifeline to terrorists who in recent months have suffered significant losses in casualties, been denied havens, and suffered weakened popular support," Rumsfeld said. "Timing in war is never predictable. There are no guarantees."

Rumsfeld testified before the Senate and House Armed Services committees, which were conducting oversight hearings on military strategy and current operations in Iraq. Accompanying Rumsfeld was Air Force General Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Army General John P. Abizaid, commander of U.S. Central Command; and Army General George W. Casey, commanding general of Multinational Force-Iraq.

In answer to questions about the future of U.S. military presence in Iraq, Myers told the committees that leaving before the job is completed would be catastrophic, and Rumsfeld said the United States has made a commitment to finish the job in Iraq and success there will require both patience and progress.

"Coalition military personnel are in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi government and consistent with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546," Rumsfeld said. "The objectives of the overwhelming majority of Iraqis and the coalition are the same: a peaceful and prosperous Iraq with a representative government. The amount of time this will take is not knowable."

But Rumsfeld also pointed to measurable progress, asking the legislators to "consider what has been accomplished in Iraq in 12 months time, not 12 years, but 12 months"; he cited free elections in January with nearly 8 million voters, emerging economic development with a stable currency and growing stock market, and an expanding and capable Iraqi security force.

Casey told the committees that the decisive factor in measuring success in Iraq will be the improvement of its political processes and the stabilization of its political system. The mission in Iraq is both realistic and achievable, he added.

Abizaid said that the number of foreign fighters infiltrating into Iraq has grown over the past six months, though the overall strength of the insurgency is unchanged. He said that foreign fighters are coming from around the region and North Africa, and almost all are passing into Iraq through Syria.

He added that "Syria has not done enough" to halt the infiltrations.

"We have no alternative but to succeed in achieving our goals and allowing the Iraqi people to take over a secure nation and run it themselves," said Senate Armed Services Chairman John Warner.

The full text of Rumsfeld's prepared remarks can be found at the Senate Armed Services Committee's Web site.

Cynical Cat wrote:You know the old say B4, even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Just because he's right this once doesn't absolve him of any of his fuck ups and lies.