BAGHDAD, Dec. 26, 2007
Less Violence In Iraq Forecast For 2008
Top U.S. Officials Predict Less Violence Despite Drawdown Of U.S. Troops
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(CBS/AP)
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Interactive Battle For Iraq The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.
The combination of more Sunni fighters in the Iraqi army and a recent backlash against militants will allow U.S.-led troops to leverage their ability to subdue violent areas, according to U.S. military spokesman Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner.
"Those forces will help coalition forces fight above their weight. They will help offset the reduction in coalition numbers," he told reporters.
The Bush administration plans to withdraw 30,000 American troops from Iraq by July, a reduction which would put the U.S. force level there at about 135,000.
Kurdish officials, meanwhile, have delayed for six months the explosive issue of a referendum to decide if the oil-rich northern city of Kirkuk will become part of their self-rule area or remain under control of the Shiite-dominated central government.
There was no immediate comment from the Iraqi government in Baghdad, but the referendum was widely expected to be delayed by months.
Kirkuk is an especially coveted city for both the Shiite-dominated Iraqi government in Baghdad and the Kurdish one in Irbil, largely because much of Iraq's oil wealth lies below it.
The Iraqi constitution requires that a referendum on the future status of the city be held to determine whether it will remain under Baghdad's control, become part of Kurdistan or gain autonomy from both.
U.S. Embassy spokesman Phil Reeker told reporters there was no doubt that improvements were made in Iraq during the past year, particularly in security.
"It is pretty clear that 2007 comes to an end in Iraq with Iraq as a substantially better place than where we began the year," he said.
Both Reeker and Bergner told a news conference that the sharp reduction in violence seen in Iraq since the influx of U.S. troops in June gives Iraq's leaders the chance to fix problems that are standing in the way of longer-term stability.
An important factor in the planned drawdown of U.S. troops has been the explosion of so-called "awakening councils" - anti-al Qaeda in Iraq groups that once fought against American and Iraqi troops but who have now turned their guns on extremists.
"As with any transition, there is a need to help build confidence, expand the trust between individuals who at one point had been fighting against Iraqi forces or against the coalition and are now willing to serve alongside them," Bergner said.
The mostly Sunni awakening groups - there are about 300, encompassing more than 70,000 fighters - worry the Shiite-dominated government, which fears they could become an uncontrollable force that would ignite renewed sectarian fighting.
In other developments:
© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
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See all 56 CommentsMcMut - can''t you come up with some new lines. Bootlicker, bla bla bla loser, bla bla bla bla, LOL, bla bla bla, ROFLMAO, blablabla - you are a fuggin tape recording. Geeze man, get a life.
Top U.S. Officials Predict Less Violence Despite Drawdown Of U.S. Troops
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And another story on CBS with the the headlines below:
Turkey Launches New Attack On Iraq
Warplanes Hit Kurdish Rebel Targets In Latest Confirmed Cross-Border Offensive
maybe it''s the "feel-good" Christmas season joy they are trying to spread.
but every dead American hero, who did his duty, but was sent to the wrong war, in the wrong country, is a memorial to the Bush Folly.
And, if you cant, then you need to be beaten with a wet-soaked bamboo cane. Beaten until you start thinking like me.
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Posted by poopusbuttus at 04:45 AM : Dec 27, 2007
+ report abuse
LOL How many times in the 6 long years the Incompetent LOSER you call a President has been trying to control this country have you bootlickers made these "mission accomplished" statements only to have to slink off behind your rock again. LOL American''s NOW know Sir Lies-A-Lot LIED to them about Iraq and started that war when there was NO Weapons nor any Threat. They also, KNOW that if left to him and you losers we would STILL be hearing "Stay the Course" and "We''re Winning in Iraq". If I were you freaks I''d be thanking "liberals" to high heaven... without them Rummy is still in charge! ROFLMAO Sieg Heil Bush!
Ninevah, now where have I heard that name before? No, besides in the Bible... Oh yeah, isn''t that where the Turks are invading? So what are we doing there, helping the Turks, or protecting the Kurds?
Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I have some good news and some bad news. First, the good news:
U.S. officials on Wednesday forecast less violence in Iraq in 2008
Now, the bad news:
Your son is dead.
You guys need some new material. Really.
Have someone who hasn''t had their skull caved in explain it to you.
Less Violence In Iraq Forecast For 2008
Turkey Launches New Attack On Iraq
Deadly Bombings Mar Holiday In Iraq
Being beaten in the head with a baseball bat should make everyone think like you.
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Posted by Scorpio59er
Isnt that what I just said?
Being beaten in the head with a baseball bat should make everyone think like you.
You liberals lose. Just suck it up and drive on.....
And, if you cant, then you need to be beaten with a wet-soaked bamboo cane. Beaten until you start thinking like me.
Oops! Sorry folks -- I was reading from the pile of old forecasts by U.S. officials!
But, magically, come 2008, everyone in Iraq will stop fighting and take up knitting.
-Stephen Colbert
Posted by USAyesterday
Nah, I predict more snow jobs, and if I were a betting man, I''d put the house up.
Translation; The news media has been ordered to report fewer stories on Iraq, and to cherry pick only that which makes Bush /Cheney look less like the sadistic criminals that they are.
And of course the media will be quite obliging.
Posted by gracchus1 at 12:03 AM : Dec 27, 2007
.............
Is this the same act as the "John Warner Defense Authorization Act"?
In that act, it basically gives the power to the President to lite the Constitution ablaze as well.
It coincides with the National Security Presidential Directive #51 (NSPD #51) initiated in May of this year.
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