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Petraeus-Crocker Testimony Wields Only Cautious Optimism from Bilirakis |
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WASHINGTON
(10 Sep.) --
After hearing testimony Monday from both the nation's top military commander
and U.S. diplomat in Iraq, U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), member of the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs, continues to remain cautiously optimistic
about current developments in Iraq and encouraged about the news of approaching
troop withdrawals.
Testifying before a packed joint hearing of the House Armed Services and Foreign
Affairs Committees, General David Petraeus, commander of Multi-National Force
in Iraq, commented "that the
military objectives of the surge are, in large measure, being met" while
Ambassador Ryan Crocker, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq,
contended that the political progress in Iraq
"will require substantial U.S.
resolve and commitment."
Following their testimony, Bilirakis stated that "while the situation in Iraq remains at
critical mass, I was encouraged by what I heard today by General Petraeus
regarding the success of the surge and his recommendation that troop
withdrawals begin almost immediately. He gave a sober account of what is
occurring on the ground, and does recognize that the current troop numbers are
not sustainable."
On the issue of political progress of what continues to be a disappointing
effort from the Maliki government, Bilirakis said, "I continue to have severe
reservations about the ability of the Maliki government to shepherd political
reconciliation in Iraq," He added, "While there are signs that provincial
religious and political factions are making progress, and Ambassador Crocker's
testimony clearly demonstrates that the benchmarks are not the only criteria
for measuring success, I remain only cautiously optimistic that this trend will
continue."
Finally, Congressman Bilirakis also expressed his outrage Monday at partisan
attacks against General Petraeus who was branded a traitor and stooge of the
Bush administration by anti-war factions and leftist groups in the run up to
his testimony on Capitol Hill.
In response to a full-page advertisement depicting General David Petraeus as a
traitor placed in today's New York Times by anti-war organization MoveOn.org,
Bilirakis characterized the ad as "another attempt at what has been a pattern
over the past week to impugn the character and career of a decorated military
commander in order to fit a backwards political agenda. This action is simply
outrageous and reprehensible."
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