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.
Add a Comment See all 56 Comments
- Whats the matter Scorpio59er, can''t you face the truth. Iraq is happenin baby, and Hillary is sweatin it, cause now she has to run on merit, not some bullsh|t story you left wing idiots have cooked up.
McMut - 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. - Reply to this comment
- Less Violence In Iraq Forecast For 2008
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 - Reply to this comment
- To ShyK : The reason we are still in IRAQ is simple, Believe its called "GREED & MONEY" its all about "LUCRITIVE-CONTRACTS" and "UNDER the table DEALINGS" - "HIDDEN AGENDAS" that involve massive amounts of "WEALTH" to those who hold the Contracts, and those that are "SECRETLY PAYING" those under the table to get those Contracts !! But they will have you believe its all about bringing Democracy to those people instead and helping them. I remember vividly, how BUSH & CHENEY told everybody that the War would more less pay for itself thru OIL RESERVES from IRAQ, yet Bush has spent multi-Billions of TAX PAYER MONEY to operate and Fund that War, so what happened to the Original plan, it was all a Hoax from the start, it just sounded good to get the people who believed in this to go along with it, if it sounds good and they believe it, than they will fall for this Scheme they cooked up, and they did ! Many of the Commentators you see on a particular TV program obviously went out and immediately bought large amounts of "DEFENSE STOCKS" to enrich their portfoilios and stand to gain lots of money while conviencing you how good this war is for AMERICA ! But only as long as their profiteering from it, in the way of Stocks and Secret under the table Deals !!!!
- Reply to this comment
- something just isn''t right when you have articles titled "Less Violence in Iraq Forecast", which then go on to describe the continuing bloodshed.
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. - Reply to this comment
- I can appreciate the propaganda message here but it''s hardly going to solve the problem or stop a civil war. The really hard decisions have not been made and for all intents there are Three Governments in Iraq and the wealth of the oil reserves have yet to be settled. I still do not understand why we are there and I still do not understand why we are staying. The Shiite control the South and that is lost to American''s as the Anti American Cleric has that command. The North is Kurdistan and thats something the Turks are not going to go along with for long. Then you have Bagdad, which is partly controlled by the Shiite and the rest by Sunni. The Shiite do not trust the Sunni and visa versa. This whole thing is just a waiting game folks... No peace has been made nor any understanding of peace. One thing that has been said and is very true indeed. Thank goodness for the intelligence of the American People. Even THIS limited success would not have been possible if they do NOT turn out the Republican''s in the last election.
- Reply to this comment
- 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.
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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! - Reply to this comment
- "The U.S. military said two soldiers were killed during fighting Wednesday in Ninevah province in the north. Three other soldiers were wounded. The names of the soldiers were withheld pending notification of family."
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? - Reply to this comment
- "The names of the soldiers were withheld pending notification of family."
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. - Reply to this comment
- "The U.S. military said an insurgent killed last month has been identified as a senior leader of al Qaeda..."
You guys need some new material. Really. - Reply to this comment
- re: "Isnt that what I just said?"
Have someone who hasn''t had their skull caved in explain it to you. - Reply to this comment
- CBS News list of Iraq stories:
Less Violence In Iraq Forecast For 2008
Turkey Launches New Attack On Iraq
Deadly Bombings Mar Holiday In Iraq - Reply to this comment
- re: "Beaten until you start thinking like me."
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? - Reply to this comment
- re: "Beaten until you start thinking like me."
Being beaten in the head with a baseball bat should make everyone think like you. - Reply to this comment
- Less Violence in Iraq? Hmmmmmmmm. Looks like things are continuing to get better and better.
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. - Reply to this comment
- "U.S. officials on Wednesday forecast that Saddam has thousands of WMDs..."
Oops! Sorry folks -- I was reading from the pile of old forecasts by U.S. officials! - Reply to this comment
- "The U.S. military said two soldiers were killed during fighting Wednesday in Ninevah province in the north. Three other soldiers were wounded."
But, magically, come 2008, everyone in Iraq will stop fighting and take up knitting. - Reply to this comment
- "But, listen, let''s review the rules. Here''s how it works: the president makes decisions. He''s the Decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Just put ''em through a spell check and go home. Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know - fiction!"
-Stephen Colbert - Reply to this comment
- Anyone want to back me up on that?
Posted by USAyesterday
Nah, I predict more snow jobs, and if I were a betting man, I''d put the house up. - Reply to this comment
- "Top U.S. Officials Predict Less Violence Despite Drawdown Of U.S. Troops"
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. - Reply to this comment
- I will give you a hint about the Military Commission Act of 2006 to help you: it is the biggest abrogation of our civil rights since the Alien and Sedition Act of 1798.
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. - Reply to this comment
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