Gates in Iraq to assess progress in US troop "surge"

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Gates in Iraq to assess progress in US troop "surge"
15 Jun 2007 17:47:09 GMT

By Andrew Gray

BAGHDAD, June 15 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary
Robert Gates arrived in Baghdad on Friday to assess a U.S.
troop buildup and press Iraq's government to move faster
in passing laws that Washington views as critical to
reconciling Iraqis.

His visit was yet another sign that Washington is growing
worried about the slow progress in enacting the laws. U.S.
President George W. Bush is under mounting pressure from
Congress to show results in Iraq or start pulling out
troops.

Gates arrived on a day when the U.S. military said it had
completed its troop build-up to 160,000 soldiers. Nearly
30,000 extra troops have been sent to Iraq, mainly to
secure Baghdad and give the Shi'ite-led government time
to reach a political accommodation with minority Sunni
Arabs and Kurds.

Gates is the third senior U.S. official to visit Baghdad
this week, following in the footsteps of the top U.S.
military general in the Middle East, Admiral William Fallon,
and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/B295365.htm

---

Source: Reuters

U.S. "disappointed" with Iraq political steps-Gates
15 Jun 2007 17:57:55 GMT

BAGHDAD, June 15 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert
Gates said on Friday Washington was "disappointed" with the
Iraqi government's efforts to pass critical laws aimed at
reconciling the country's warring factions.

Asked by reporters travelling with him on an unnannounced
visit to Baghdad what message he would convey to Iraq's
leaders, Gates said: "That our troops are buying them time
to pursue reconciliation, that frankly we are disappointed
with the progress so far."


Link: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L15120755.htm

[Eugene]

1. Gates meets top US military commanders in Iraq

Source: Reuters

Gates meets top US military commanders in Iraq
16 Jun 2007 05:55:05 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Andrew Gray

BAGHDAD, June 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert
Gates met top U.S. military commanders in Iraq on Saturday to
assess a troop build-up designed to buy time for the Shi'ite-
led government to win over disaffected Sunni Arabs.

-snip-

U.S. officials gave no details of his talks with the leading
U.S. military commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and
his number two, Lieutenant-General Raymond Odierno. Gates
is due to meet Maliki and other Iraqi leaders later in the day.

Gates is the third senior U.S. official to visit Baghdad this
week, following in the footsteps of the top U.S. military
commander in the Middle East, Admiral William Fallon, and U.S.
Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.

He said he would echo their message to Maliki and other Iraqi
leaders to speed up passage through parliament of legislation
that includes laws on distributing oil revenues, control of
regional oil fields and holding provincial elections.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L1670601.htm