Odierno Signals Faster Withdrawal From Iraq

By Leah Valencia, University of New Mexico – Talk Radio News Service

General Raymond Odierno, who commands U.S. forces in Iraq, told the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday that improved security in Iraq may allow troops to withdraw sooner than anticipated.

Odierno says, 4,000 U.S. troops will leave Iraq this month, bringing the total number of American troops down to 124,000. He said the withdrawal would continue to increase rapidly.

“Eleven months from now, our combat mission will end,” Odierno said. “Success will be defined by our ability to support Iraq’s developing institutional capacity, from governance to economics.”

Still, Odierno told committee members that now the U.S. must be cautious with the pace of withdrawal.

“The important part is that we do not want to lose the security progress that has been made,” He added that too quick of a withdrawal would create instability. “We have to ensure that we don’t take enough risk that ethno-sectarian violence is able to continue.”

Odierno noted in his testimony that although there are still significant challenges facing Iraq, he is optimistic about the current situation.

“I believe we are now in reach of our goals,” he said.

Odierno added that attacks “of all types” are decreasing to levels not seen since the “summer of 2003.”

“You can honestly feel a difference amongst the people in Baghdad,” Odierno said.

Iraq is currently establishing diplomatic and economic ties with neighboring countries, and confidence in the operational effectiveness of Iraqi Security Forces is increasing. ISF has taken over security with U.S. forces merely advising, assisting and enabling operations.