Petraeus: More troop reductions coming

by Aamer Madhani

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said today that he expects to recommend a further reduction in U.S. troop levels in Iraq this fall--before voters go to the polls in November.

"My sense is I will be able to make a recommendation at that time for further reductions," Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee, which was holding a hearing this morning to consider his appointment as the new Central Command chief. "I don't want to imply that that means a BCT [brigade combat team] or major combat formation, although it could. But I do believe that there will be certain assets that, as we are already looking at the picture right now, we'll be able to recommend can be either redeployed or not deployed to the theater in the fall."

When he was in Washington last month to give Congress a progress report on Iraq, Petraeus recommended a 45-day pause in troop reductions in July before U.S. officials review once again whether there should be a further draw down.

But before the Armed Services Committee this morning, the four-star general said that he hopes to recommend a further troop reduction before his anticipated promotion in September to become the top U.S. commander in the Middle East.

Petraeus also said he did not expect Iraqi provincial elections to be held in October, as scheduled, but they could take place a month later.

The White House as well as U.S. military officials and diplomats in Baghdad have touted the elections as a crucial step in fostering political reconciliation between Iraq's majority Shiites and Sunnis, who did not fully participate in national elections after the fall of the former regime.

Both Petraeus and Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, who was nominated to take Petraeus' spot in Baghdad, were showered with praise by the senators for their continued commitment, even by Democrats who are calling for the U.S. to wind down the war.

Petraeus has spent about four years in Iraq since the start of the war, and Odierno has served more than 30 months in Iraq.

"Regardless of one's view of the wisdom of the policy that took us to Iraq in the first place and has kept us there over five years, we owe Gen. Petraeus and Gen. Odierno a debt of gratitude for the commitment, determination and strength that they brought to their areas of responsibility," said Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"And regardless how long the administration may choose to remain engaged in the strife in that country, our troops are better off with the leadership these two distinguished soldiers provide."