Iraq Update 10/23/06

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
“Benchmarks That Have Been Discussed”

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow: "What Has Been Happening Over Time Is That There Have Been Benchmarks That Have Been Discussed."  "There are a series of things that are going on, and the President actually announced on July 25th, when Prime Minister Maliki was here, a commission … called the Joint Committee for Achieving Iraqi Security Self-Reliance.  It was not described by that name, but it is mentioned in the July 25th press conference with the Prime Minister.  Also in the August report to Congress, the so-called [9010], there's a discussion of it.  And what has been happening over time is that there have been benchmarks that have been discussed, together with the Iraqis, not merely on the security side, but also the economic and the political side.  And the Iraqis themselves have broadcast many of these." (Press Gaggle By Tony Snow, Washington, DC, October 23, 2006)

Discussion of the Joint Committee for Achieving Iraqi Security Self Reliance

Measuring Security and Stability in Iraq, August 29, 2006 (page 62)  

*       “Arbitrary deadlines or timetables for withdrawal of Coalition forces- divorced from conditions in Iraq and the region- would be a serious strategic error, as they would suggest to the terrorists, the Rejectionists, and the various illegal armed groups in Iraq that they can simply wait or stall to win.  The absence of a specific timetable does not mean that the Coalition's posture in Iraq is static.  On the contrary, the Coalition continually reviews the situation in Iraq and adjusts its posture and approaches as conditions evolve and Iraqi capabilities grow.” 

*       “The Government of Iraq has agreed to form a Joint Committee with MNF-I and the U.S. and UK Embassies to develop a conditions-based roadmap for the full transition of security responsibility to the ISF.  This road map will consist of recommended conditions intended to lead to the eventual and gradual withdrawal of multi-national forces from Iraq.” 

*       “The Joint Committee for Achieving Iraqi Security Self-Reliance (JCAISSR) will base its roadmap on much of the successful work that has already gone into developing the strategy for transition of security responsibility in Iraq.”