Stability will be reflected in Petraeus's recommendations to Congress

VOI ^ | 23 /07 /2008

[flyfree]

BAGHDAD, July 23 (VOI) – The decline in armed operations against joint forces and Iraqi civilians will positively affect U.S. Top Commander in Iraq David Petraeus's recommendations on the situation in Iraq to the Congress, a spokesman for the Multi-National Force (MNF) said on Wednesday.

"The recommendations that field commanders will submit to Petraeus will be included in the report, which he will present to U.S. Congress in September on the situation of the MNF and the abilities of Iraqi security forces," Brigadier General David Perkins said during a Baghdad-based press conference.

The U.S. top commander "will hold talks with the Iraqi government on the report, which he will submit to the Congress, in addition to amendments to plans on the ground."

In response to a question posed by a correspondent for Aswat al-Iraq- Voices of Iraq- (VOI) about the Iraqi Ministry of Interior's announcement of current preparations for the transfer of security responsibilities in all Iraqi provinces by the end of this year, Perkins said that the matter depends on Petraeus's report.

Perkins noted that Iraqi forces have the experience to conduct military campaigns, citing the operations in Basra, Mosul, Sadr City and Missan.

In late March, Iraqi security forces launched a wide-scale security operation, codenamed Saulat al-Fursan (Knight's Assault) in Basra (590 km south of the Iraqi capital). Another operation, dubbed Basha'ir al-Salam (Promise of Peace), was conducted in Missan (390 km south of Baghdad) in June.