U.S. envoy: Troops holding down violence

[babylonsister]

Ain't that grand.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-07-26-iraq-crocker_N.htm?csp=34


U.S. envoy: Troops holding down violence

AP
BAGHDAD (AP) — Washington's top envoy in Iraq said on Thursday that increased U.S. troop strength had brought down violence but it was impossible to rush political reconciliation or to predict when conditions would allow the United States to begin reducing its involvement.

With less than two months remaining before Ambassador Ryan Crocker and Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq, were to report to Congress about progress in Iraq, the top envoy also told the Associated Press that political reconciliation was going to be "a long, hard pull."

"The surge (increase of 30,000 American troops) has done very well indeed in making a difference in security conditions. There's no question, in the Anbar (province) and Baghdad area. But its not a light switch. You don't just flip something up and everyone is reconciled," Crocker said in an interview in his office in Saddam Hussein's Republican Palace.

Pressed repeatedly on when he thought U.S. troop levels could be reduced and other American involvement might be scaled back, Crocker said:

"It's going to take longer than September."

more...

[Captain Hilts]

1. Most evidence says troops to calm down a lot of 'hoods.

But they're playing 'wack a mole'.