George Casey
George Casey
amount coalition dependency exposes feeds forces increased iraqi notion presence security time
Increased coalition presence feeds the notion of occupation. It contributes to the dependency of Iraqi security forces on the coalition, ... It extends the amount of time that it will take for Iraqi security forces to become self-reliant. And it exposes more coalition forces to attacks.
armed base capability forces fully iraqi recognize support
We fully recognize that Iraqi armed forces will not have an independent capability for some time, because they don't have the institutional base to support them,
cannot create guys impression iraqis polls succeed terror trying
Look, you guys read the polls just like I do. And this is a terror campaign. And they are trying to create the impression that we and the Iraqis cannot succeed in Iraq,
believe deal fighting fights-and-fighting insurgency iraq less reason time
Fighting insurgencies is a long-term proposition, and there's no reason that we should believe that the insurgency in Iraq will take any less time to deal with.
afraid armed committed forces iraqis members people tough understand
It is important for the American people to understand that we should not be afraid of this fight, ... This is a tough fight. Their armed forces members are committed to this. The Iraqis are committed to this.
coalition element forces iraqi key presence reducing remains security transition ultimately visibility
reducing the visibility and ultimately the presence of coalition forces as we transition to Iraqi security self-reliance remains a key element of our counter-insurgency strategy.
begin built capacity iraqi mission seriously talking
We have built enough Iraqi capacity where we can begin talking seriously about transitioning this counterinsurgency mission to them,
coalition directly draw iraqi milestones numbers tie timeline
We do not have a timeline or milestones that directly tie the draw down of coalition units to numbers of Iraqi battalions,
against fighters foreign iraqis seeing stand support
The Iraqis are seeing that they need to take a stand against the foreign fighters and the Iraqis that support them so they can get on with their future,
forces iraqi security
The development of the Iraqi security forces is very much on track,
battalions level year
In a year from now, if there's not more battalions at Level One, I'll be concerned. Right now, I'm not,
change involved variables
Things change in a battalion. We're making assessments on leadership, on training. There are a lot of variables that are involved here, senator,
concerned readiness small unit
No, it's not a setback. I mean, unit readiness is going to fluctuate. And it is such a small number. And at this stage, I'm not concerned about small numbers,
certainly expect forces military police render
We certainly do expect that there is some infiltration of the police and ... the military forces, ... But we don't see it in the way that would render these forces incapable.