"War Czar" Nominee Doubts Iraqi Government

The general picked by President Bush to be his war adviser said Thursday he has serious concerns about the Iraqi government's ability to take control of its country, no matter how much pressure is applied by the United States.

"The question in my mind is not to what extent can we force them ... to a particular outcome but rather to what degree do they actually have the capacity themselves to produce that outcome," Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute said during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

And if the Iraqis are "pressed too hard, will we, in turn, end up with an outcome that isn't really worth the paper it's written on?" he added.

Lute's grim words cast fresh doubt on prospects of an easy U.S. withdrawal at a time Americans are increasingly impatient. In an AP-Ipsos poll released Thursday, just 28 percent said they are satisfied with Bush's handling of the war — numbers that are affecting Republicans as well as Democrats on Capitol Hill.

More than 3,500 U.S. troops have died since the Iraq war began in March 2003.

During the hearing, Senator Evan Bayh, D-Ind., unexpectedly unveiled the latest intelligence assessment on the war, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.

"The trend in Iraq is negative," Bayh said. "That there are occasional bright spots—for example, some developments in Al Anbar province—but that those positive developments are within the context of an overall negative trend."

"Wake up," said Sen. John Warner, R-Va., in response to Lute's suggestion that Americans should be mindful that democracy in Baghdad in still in an embryonic stage. "We're paying a heavy price for them to establish this government."

Democrats, including committee chairman Carl Levin, say U.S. troops should begin to pull out of Iraq to put pressure on the Iraqis to take more responsibility and make political agreements that could help calm sectarian violence.

"I think they lack will, not capacity," said Levin, D-Mich.

However, he added, if Baghdad does lack the ability to take control of its country, then Bush's decision to send thousands more troops into Baghdad and Anbar province is useless.

"How do you then justify a surge (in U.S. forces) whose purpose is to give breathing space to a government that, by your testimony, you doubt has the capacity to make the political reconciliation compromises?" Levin asked.

Lute responded: "I am concerned about the capacity of this government. But I haven't passed final judgment on them."

Last month, Bush signed war spending legislation that — for the first time in the four-year war — conditioned U.S. aid for the Iraqis on Baghdad's ability to meet certain milestones. Bush can waive the restriction if he wants.

When pressed by Levin on whether the U.S. should do more to pressure the Iraqis, Lute said Baghdad is already keenly aware that it has a "golden opportunity" and that time is running out. But with the Iraqi government up and running for only about a year, Lute said there are limits to what it can do.

"I think that this isn't solely a question of leverage," he said.

Bush this month nominated Lute to become deputy national security adviser on Iraq and Afghanistan, a newly created position intended to reach across agency bureaucracies and better execute the president's policy on the two wars.

Lute said he will work closely with Bush National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, who will have a broader portfolio, as well as Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace.

Lawmakers indicated they would support Lute's nomination, but said Bush's decision to create the new position raised questions.

"If those other individuals were properly doing their job, this position wouldn't be necessary," said Sen. James Webb, D-Va., referring to other administration officials with purview over Iraq policy.

Added Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., a Democratic presidential contender: "I wish you well in a position many of us believe is an impossible one."

In his testimony, the three-star general confirmed news reports that he had been skeptical of the troop buildup in Iraq. Bush announced in January he planned to send 21,500 more combat troops to Baghdad and the western Anbar province to improve security; military officials are expected to provide a progress report in September.

During the White House strategy review, "I registered concerns that a military 'surge' would likely have only temporary and localized effects unless it were accompanied by counterpart 'surges' by the Iraqi government and the other, nonmilitary agencies of the U.S. government," according to written testimony Lute provided the panel.

On Thursday, Lute said early results of the U.S. troop buildup in Iraq were mixed.

"I'd assess at this point that the Iraqi participation in the surge has been uneven so far," he said. "And I think we're in the early days, and time will tell."