Petraeus Sees Withdrawal to 'Pre-Surge Levels'

Top US commander says goals are being met

By Josie Garthwaite, Newser User

Posted Sep 10, 2007 3:53 PM CDT

(Newser) – David Petraeus told Congress today that the objectives of the troop surge “are in large measure being met” and said US forces could drop “to pre-surge levels” by mid-July. The top American commander in Iraq said he has recommended that force reductions begin later this month, with redeployments continuing through next year, the Washington Post reports.

In his eagerly awaited progress report, Petraeus said the drawdown can be accomplished "without jeopardizing security gains we fought so hard to achieve" and pointed to a steep drop in deaths attributed to what he called "ethno-sectarian violence." Ambassador Ryan Crocker echoed Petraeus' message and said he sees political progress, but "the slope of that line is not steep."

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, is shown at Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province, Iraq, in this Sept. 3, 2007, file photo. Petraeus is to appear before Congress, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007,... (Associated Press)

House Foreign Affairs Committee staffer Riley Moore, unfolds a tablecloth as he helps set up the room on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007 in preparation for Gen. David Petraeus and Amb.... (Associated Press)

House Foreign Affairs Committee staffer Riley Moore, unfolds a tablecloth as he helps set up the room on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, in preparation for Gen. David Petraeus and... (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)

U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker speaks during a press availability with Vice President Dick Cheney and Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the U.S. forces in Iraq, both not pictured, in Baghdad, Iraq... (Associated Press)

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Petraeus Sees Withdrawal to 'Pre-Surge Levels'

Top US commander says goals are being met

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Top US commander says goals are being met

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

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troop surge • Iraq pullout • David Petraeus • Ryan Crocker • troop withdrawal • Iraq war

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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Petraeus Sees No New Troop Buildup in Iraq

General wraps up two days of testimony before Congress

McCain Blasts Dems on Iraq

Presumptive GOP nominee says departure calls are 'imprudent and dangerous'

Iraq Making Slow Gains on Goals, Says White House

Government met only half of its benchmarks

Bush Plan Would Bring 5K Troops Back by Holidays

Progress on security allows withdrawal, president to tell nation

General Walks the Party Line

Petraeus as concerned with selling the war as winning it, say analysts

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