Petraeus: Surge requires long-term commitment, more troops an option

BAGHDAD, March 8 — The new American commander in Iraq, Gen. David H. Petraeus, warned today that American troops here face a long road ahead, and left open the possibility that even more soldiers would be called to serve here, as he described the difficult task of bringing peace to the country.

Among the most vexing problems he described were how to deal with rising violence outside the capital and what to do about the large Shiite militia loyal to anti-American cleric Moktada al-Sadr.

General Petraeus repeatedly stressed the long-term nature of the “surge,” as the current buildup of troops and operations has come to be called, and he was careful not to put a ceiling on the number of troops that may eventually be needed or how long they may need to stay in Iraq.

He said there were no “looming” requests for additional troops, and that he had not yet endorsed an assessment by the second-ranking commander in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, that the greatly enlarged American force should remain undiminished for at least one full year.

But General Petraeus added, “If you’re going to achieve the kinds of effects that we probably need, that it would need to be sustained certainly for some time well beyond the summer.”

Read the rest at the NY Times

Related Link:
Report: Odierno recommends 'surge' forces stay at least one year

Related Link:
Commander of 3rd Army Whitcomb: U.S. in Iraq long past 2008; 'This is a long, long fight'

Related Link:
Commanding General: Time for Americans to 'quit complaining'; War could take 'nine years'

Related Link:
Top generals tell Congress surge won't end soon; Conway says it's now a 'plus-up'

Related Link:
Top Marine Conway: Give troops more time, 'casualties are not that great'

Related Link:
Odierno: 2 to 3 years needed to reach U.S. goals

Related Link:
Odierno: Iraqi forces big part of Baghdad clear and hold; envisions 'retreat to outskirts' in 3-4 months

Related Link:
Gates: U.S. 'enduring presence' in Mid-East, 'will be here for a long time'

Related Link:
Commandant: Marines need more troops for the 'long war'

Related Link:
Marines plan recalling reserve combat battalions for 2nd tours in 2008

Related Link:
Secretary of AF: Airmen to remain in Iraq past 2010

Related Link:
Army: Troops to stay in Iraq until 2010