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July 25, 2008 10:51:37 PM CDT

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Petraeus Bemoans Iraq's Political Progress

Posted Sep 8, 07 9:54 AM CDT in World,  Politics,  US 

(Newser) – Writing to US troops in a preview of his report to Congress next week, Gen. David Petraeus said political progress in Iraq has not matched the aspirations the US had hoped to attain with the surge. But he was quick to stress decreasing violence on the ground, the Washington Post reports, and aims to testify again in March.

Petraeus has indicated he would accept a token withdrawal of 3,500-5,000 troops, but hopes to delay further reductions until spring. The White House, which has long urged critics to wait for Petraeus’ report, is now insisting that the president will make the final decision—a sign that strategy change is unlikely.

Source Washington Post

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This photo provided by the Defense Department shows Ambassador Ryan Crocker, left, meeting with outgoing Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Peter Pace, center, and Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander, multi-national...   (Associated Press)
President Bush, right, stands with Gen. David Petraeus as he arrives for a surprise visit at Al-Asad Airbase in Anbar province, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 3, 2007. The president made an unannounced visit to...   (Associated Press)
Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, gestures during a news conference at the Pentagon in this April 26, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Heesoon Yim, File)   (Associated Press)
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Iraq  • George W. Bush  • Iraq war  • David Petraeus  • troop withdrawal  • troop surge


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