George Casey
George Casey
large lead level means numbers totally
Level 1 is being totally independent, and we know they're not going to be there in large numbers for a while. But they're already getting to level 2, which means they can get into and lead the fight.
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,
battalions concerned good level progress year
A year from now, if there are not more battalions at level one I will be concerned. Right now, I am not. I am concerned about level two and we are making very good progress there,
attacks generate increased insurgency last level seen
The level of attacks they've been able to generate has not increased substantially here over what we've seen in the last year, ... This insurgency is not progressing.
three
What's important is ... is that the one and three are irrelevant,
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,
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.
happens progress steps taking yield
We say we make progress relentlessly in little steps a day at a time. And we just keep taking little steps. And every once in a while, you get to see what happens when all those little steps yield something.
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.
expect gradually insurgency
We should expect the insurgency not to just go away, but to gradually reduce.
expect insurgency lots tough work
There is still lots of tough work to do and we should expect the insurgency not to just go away because there were elections.
caused change compact constitution division national situation
Now this constitution has come out, and it didn't come out as the national compact that we thought it was going to be. And there's division there, ... And that caused the situation to change a little bit.
concerned next
Next year, at this time, I'll be much more concerned about it. Right now, I'm not,
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,