(18 Sep 2007)
1. Top U.S. commander in Iraq General David Petraeus and US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker arriving at news conference
2. Mid of news conference
3. SOUNDBITE (English) General David Petraeus, Commander of US forces in Iraq:
"Coalition and Iraqi security forces have in recent months in particular, and particularly since the so called surge of offensives that started in mid June, achieved progress in the security arena, though the improvements have been uneven across Iraq. Through this past Friday the overall number of security incidents in Iraq has now declined in ten of the past thirteen weeks."
4. Mid of news conference
5. SOUNDBITE (English) General David Petraeus, Commander of US forces in Iraq:
"Based on what has been achieved, and on the further progress we believe we can achieve over the next few months with our Iraqi counterparts, we will be able to begin to reduce our forces this winter - in fact in truth this month, with a Marine Expeditionary Unit coming out without replacement - and be at the pre-surge level of 15 brigade combat teams by last summer - that's one quarter less than the current number - without jeopardising the security gains that we've fought so hard to achieve, and I am here talking about US forces."
6. Mid of news conference
7. SOUNDBITE (English) General David Petraeus, Commander of US forces in Iraq:
"There is no question about the lethal and damaging impact of Iranian activity in support of these militias in terms of the training they provide, the funding - we captured lots of documents, particularly when we detained Khazali - and also in terms of the weaponry that's provided, especially the very lethal improvised explosive devices, the so called EFPs, explosively formed projectiles, the 240mm rockets, and so forth."
8. Mid of news conference
9. SOUNDBITE (English) General David Petraeus, Commander of US forces in Iraq:
"I certainly have not sought authorisation to cross the border into Iran, Jeremy (he's addressing a journalist). We've got our hands full inside Iraq. We are certainly focusing on interdiction of weapons, and funding, and individuals moving to and from training increasingly."
10. Wide of news conference
STORYLINE:
The top U.S. commander in Iraq was on a visit to Britain on Tuesday to brief the United States' closest ally, which is reducing its force in the southern city of Basra.
General David Petraeus' visit comes a week after his testimony to American lawmakers, which cited recent gains in security and a decrease in sectarian killings, but warned of little political progress in Baghdad.
US President George W. Bush has embraced Petraeus' plan to withdraw 5,700 troops from Iraq by the end of the year and reduce the force from 20 combat brigades to 15 brigades by next July.
"Based on what has been achieved, and on the further progress we believe we can achieve over the next few months with our Iraqi counterparts, we will be able to begin to reduce our forces this winter," Petraeus told journalists, "and be at the pre-surge level of 15 brigade combat teams by next summer - that's one quarter less than the current number - without jeopardising the security gains that we've fought so hard to achieve, and I am here talking about US forces."
However, he stressed "the importance of recognising that a premature drawdown of our forces would likely have devastating consequences, not only for Iraq and the region, but for our nations and the world."
"We'll continue transitioning security responsibilities and reducing force levels, but with a close eye on what conditions on the ground permit," the general said.
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