Commanders In Iraq Challenge Petraeus On Pullout Risk

[Are_grits_groceries]

CENTCOM Commander General David Petraeus and Multinational Force Iraq (MNF-I) Commander General Ray Odierno have submitted assessments of Iraq combat troop withdrawal plans to President Barack Obama based on the premise that his 16-month withdrawal plan would pose significantly greater risk to "security gains" than the 23-month plan they favour.

But a senior commander in Iraq appeared to contradict that premise last week by declaring that security gains in the Shi'a provinces of Iraq are "permanent", and a field commander in Iraq says there is no objective basis for any Petraeus-Odierno finding that Obama's plan carries greater risk than their 23-month plan.

Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, U.S. commander for the eight southern provinces of Iraq, denied in remarks to reporters Feb. 12 that the security gains in that region were fragile, contrary to the premise that Odierno has publicly asserted. Oates cited the dramatic reduction in activities by Shi'a militia fighters and the holding of the Jan. 31 elections without any major attacks.

In a previous press briefing Jan. 14, Oates had told reporters that, even if violence were to break out after provincial elections, Iraqi security forces "are well prepared to handle that".
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/17/commanders-in-iraq-challe_n_167619.html

Petraeus needs a reminder of who is CIC and who is in charge.

[Are_grits_groceries]

1. I don't think Obama would pull a MacArthur though...........

[DCKit]

2. This pissing contest isn't going to benefit the military. I don't get it. n/t

[EFerrari]

3. Petraeus has long been for himself and no one else. I'm glad

his subordinates are finding a way to go around his corrupt @ss.

[TWiley]

4. Colin Powell is a believer ...... I think Betrayus should be replaced

It is time to shoot a few Generals. I firmly believe that.