Gates Makes Unannounced Visit to Iraq

[unhappycamper]

Gates Makes Unannounced Visit to Iraq
Associated Press | December 05, 2007

MOSUL, Iraq - Defense Secretary Robert Gates will use his latest unannounced trip to Iraq to assess whether the downturn in violence in parts of the country can be sustained, and whether Iran is working to quell the shipment of arms into Iraq, officials said Dec. 5 as the Pentagon chief made his sixth visit to the country.

Senior Defense officials said the jury is still out on both fronts, and the Pentagon is being cautious not to declare victory yet in either case.

As an example, one senior defense official traveling with the secretary said that any proposal to move the Marines out of Iraq and into a greater role in Afghanistan, as proposed not long ago by Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway, will be viewed cautiously by Gates.

Gates arrived in Mosul at midmorning Dec. 5 and planned a full day of meetings with his military commanders and Iraqi officials.

There has been a steady decline in violence in Iraq in recent months, including dips in roadside bombs, other attacks and in both U.S. and Iraqi casualties. The U.S. is pressing Iraqi leaders to take advantage of the improved security to make the political reforms needed to stabilize the fledgling democracy.

A senior defense official traveling with the secretary said there are concerns that the national government will be outpaced by local tribal and provincial leaders to take advantage of the improved security.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,157598,00.html