(8 Apr 2008) HEADLINE: Petraeus, Crocker face grilling from Senate
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CAPTION: The top U.S. commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, says he certainly shares in the nation's frustration over the length of the Iraq war. But, he says, it's too soon to schedule additional troop withdrawals. (April 8)
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[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]
(FILE troops with any NAT)
with American surge forces due home from Iraq in July
(wide Petraeus, perhaps taking oath)
the top U.S. commander there is leaving open the idea there will be few, if any, MORE subsequent withdrawals BEFORE President Bush leaves office
(Petraeus in field)
General David Petraeus is calling for 45 days after those forces leave to consolidate and evaulate..and then another open-ended period to decide on further cuts
SOT: General David Petraeus roughly 10:10:00
"This approach does not allow establishment of a set withdrawal timetable. However, it does provide the flexibility those of us on the ground need to preserve the still fragile security gains our troopers have fought so hard a sacrificed so much to achieve."
(Petraeus and Crocker)
but as Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker delivered a long-awaited progress report to Capitol Hill
(NAT UP protester yelling "Bring them home" roughly 10:42:00
the open-ended suspension didn't sit well with at least one protester
(wide hearing)
or Democrats
SOT: Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich. roughly 10:39:30:
"What you've given to your chain of command is a plan which has no end to it."
(FILE street scene)
both Petraeus and Crocker painted a picture of an Iraq making progress
(charts)
giving lawmakers evidence of positive trends in violence and training Iraqi forces...tinged with caution
SOT: Ryan Crocker, U.S. ambassador to Iraq roughly 10:36:30
"Our current course is hard, but it is working. Progress is real, but it is fragile. We need to stay with it."
(split screen into thirds with cutaways from beginning of Clinton, McCain, Obama)
the hearings brought the presidential candidates off the campaign trail, and highlighted the party differences on Iraq -- a situation one of them will inherit
SOT: Senator John McCain, R-Ariz. roughly 10:49:20
"To promise a withdrawal of our forces, regardless of the consequences, would constitute a failure of political and moral leadership."
SOT: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. roughly 11:35:20
"I fundamentally disagree. Rather, I think it could be fair to say it might well be irresponsible to continue the policy that has not produced the results that have been promised time and time again."
SOT: Senator Barack Obama, D-Ill.
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STANDUP: Wednesday brings another round of hearings here for both the general and ambassador..and will also take some lawmakers to the White House, a day before President Bush addresses the nation about Iraq..he's made it clear if a pause in troop cuts is what General Petraeus wants..that's what he'll get.
SM, The AP, Capitol Hill
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