The Iraqi's step up and take over security and we step down. That comment was taken from one of many statements where that was told to the American people.
This one comes from a speech made at Fort Bragg, NC, by President Bush in 2005.
"The principal task of our military is to find and defeat the terrorists," he said. "And that is why we are on the offense. And as we pursue the terrorists, our military is helping to train Iraqi security forces so that they can defend their people and fight the enemy on their own. Our strategy can be summed up this way: As the Iraqis stand up, we will stand down."
I remind you of these statements because the British soldiers that are in Southern Iraq are doing just that.
Mr Blair said on Sunday that Iraq's own armed forces and police were now in the main frontline control of security in Basra.
Operation Sinbad - to transfer the lead role to homegrown forces - was complete and had been successful.
Thousands of British troops have been involved in operations with the Iraqi army against rogue police units, local militias and al-Qaeda groups.
But once that is is finished large scale military patrols will end.
However, a sustantial British force will remain at their permanent base at Basra airport to provide support for Iraqi.
Mr Blair said reconstruction had followed the improved security "and we have been able to make real progress."
The transfer of frontline control is a significant part of moves towards a total handover of control of Basra province to the Iraqi authorities.
It is one of the main "conditions" being used in making decisions on withdrawing UK personnel from the region.
This has been the main goal of all coalition forces in Iraq.
We have said, over and over here at Wake up America that there has been great successes and progress in Iraq, things the mainstream media do not tell you about, unless they can do it in a way that looks bad for Iraq.
This is wonderful news and makes for a great example for what can be done in Baghdad and other troubled areas in Iraq.
The Iraqi's step up, take over security and we step down... our goal.
Cheney's words on this:
"Well, I look at it and see it is actually an affirmation that there are parts of Iraq where things are going pretty well," Cheney told ABC News' Jonathan Karl.
"In fact, I talked to a friend just the other day who had driven to Baghdad down to Basra, seven hours, found the situation dramatically improved from a year or so ago, sort of validated the British view they had made progress in southern Iraq and that they can therefore reduce their force levels," Cheney said.
Exactly.
In another article from Boston.com World News:
President Bush, who spoke to Blair on Tuesday, appeared upbeat about a British pull-out and said he hoped U.S. forces could follow suit when conditions allowed.
"President Bush sees this as a sign of success and what is possible for us once we help the Iraqis deal with the sectarian violence in Baghdad," Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said.
From Captain's Quarters:
This is the natural denouement of the Iraqi campaign, however. As the Iraqis can take over security responsibilities for their provinces, the Western powers will pull back and pull out, although the British forces will remain in smaller numbers to provide assistance to the Iraqis. The US will do the same when Baghdad and Anbar come under better control. The Brits have succeed in their mission, and they now can shift their forces accordingly.
This is the kind of news I wait for, to see the Iraqi security forces ready, willing and able to protect their people and defend against insurgents or simply random violence in which we see here in America every day as does every other country and cannot be expected to be totally eliminated in Iraq.
We never expected the Iraq to be completely violence free.... name one state in America that is violence free and I will show you stories of men going into Amish schools and killing children, I will show you a man going into a Utah mall and killing people for no other reason than to kill all here in America. The examples go on and on.
We have crime. Iraq will also. Sadly, that is human nature.
Our goal is train them to be able to secure themselves, defend themselves and become an ally in the war on terror.
Thats all, no more and no less and this fine example of how well this plan can work is what the British has now given us.
Tracked back by:
Brit Troop Reduction Sparks Liberal Euphoria from Amy Proctor: Bottom Line Up Front...
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