George Casey
George Casey
coalition critical element forces reduction
Conditions-based reduction of coalition forces is a critical element of our strategy,
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.
concern force protection readiness share
I share your concern about our Army's operational readiness and force protection posture,
certainly course next
And we certainly do look to do that over the course of next year.
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.
expect gradually insurgency
We should expect the insurgency not to just go away, but to gradually reduce.
constitution looked national perception
We've looked for the constitution to be a national pact, and the perception now is that it's not.
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,
asked greater july period question
I think right now we're in a period of a little greater uncertainty than when I was asked that question back in July and March,
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,
daily fighting forward improving side
We are fighting with them side by side on a daily basis, improving their capabilities day by day, ... We are measuring this very carefully, and we're not going forward with this capriciously.
against attacks change civilians seeing strategy tactics visible
what you are seeing is a change in tactics to more violent, more visible attacks against civilians and that is a no-win strategy for the insurgency.
I can tell you, Congressman, it's all going to be conditions-based,
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,