Washington D.C. – Statement from Rep. Heather Wilson:
“I think today was an important turning point in the war in Iraq.
“General Petraeus announced significant initial reductions of U.S. troops based on the success he sees on the ground. He also showed us the direction he is heading: Iraqi security forces will take over responsibility for security and there will be further reductions in U.S. forces.”
“General Petraeus’ testimony today was a straightforward assessment from the commander of our forces in the field. I appreciate the General’s expertise and professionalism.
The Situation in Iraq
“Security conditions have improved in Iraq over recent months, although the levels of violence remain high. We have seen significant progress in Anbar province – the Sunni heartland – where tribal leaders have turned against al Qaeda in Iraq. As I have argued since last January, it is vital to American national interests that we do not allow Iraq to become a safe haven for Al Qaeda. Counter-terrorism efforts in the Sunni regions should be our top priority. We are making significant progress toward this aim and we must build upon our recent successes for the long term.
“The Iraqi central government is disappointingly ineffective, and either unable or unwilling to bridge the sectarian divides that will make long-term political, economic and security progress possible. National reconciliation is unlikely to happen under the current weak central government. It is not vital to American national interests to insist on strong, central power in Iraq. Greater devolution of power to the regional and local level – either formally or informally – is an acceptable outcome that we should not resist.
“Training and equipping the Iraqi military and security forces is still progressing too slowly. I will continue to press for speeding up Foreign Military Sales to the Iraqis so that they can assume primary responsibility for security.
“Our Army is over-extended. I have worked in the past with Democrat and Republican lawmakers to increase the size of our military. I am concerned that, when a super-power is over-extended, we put ourselves at risk because regional powers may seek to exploit what they might see as a weakness.
Vital Interests
“I continue to believe that America must focus on its vital national interests in Iraq. Those interests are quite limited and include making sure that Iraq does not become a safe haven for Al Qaeda and that Iraq does not become a source of instability in the region. These limited aims are achievable and we should focus on them.
The General’s Recommendation
“General Petraeus has recommended that, based on success thus far, we should reduce one Marine Expeditionary unit from Iraq later this month and an additional brigade combat team in mid-December with the further redeployment of four more brigade combat teams and two surge Marine battalions by July 2008.
“General Petraeus also told us that, ‘Force reductions will continue’ beyond July of next year. He was unwilling to predict the pace of the withdrawal of U.S. forces this far in advance, but shared a specific outline of the transition to Iraqi control with decision points for the pace of reductions. The next decision point for the timing of further reductions beyond July 2008 would be March 2008.
“This seems like a reasonable course to pursue. We should continue to rely on U.S. military commanders in the field as we make decisions going forward.
The President
“President Bush must provide the leadership needed to build upon the progress made, focus our government on protecting America’s vital national interests, and reduce U.S. force levels over time in a way that protects what is vital to America.
“The Congress must also accept this turning point and look to the future. We have a responsibility to set aside partisan posturing and build bipartisan consensus on what America’s vital national interests are and how to protect those interests as we reduce U.S. forces in Iraq.”
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