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Odierno warning on Iraq security | Odierno warning on Iraq security |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The new US military commander in Iraq, Lt Gen Ray Odierno, has said that recent security gains there are "fragile and reversible". | The new US military commander in Iraq, Lt Gen Ray Odierno, has said that recent security gains there are "fragile and reversible". |
He was speaking in Baghdad at a ceremony to replace Gen David Petraeus. | He was speaking in Baghdad at a ceremony to replace Gen David Petraeus. |
Gen Petraeus, who implemented the "surge" of nearly 30,000 extra US troops in Iraq, is widely credited with driving down levels of violence there. | Gen Petraeus, who implemented the "surge" of nearly 30,000 extra US troops in Iraq, is widely credited with driving down levels of violence there. |
He has been promoted to oversee operations in Afghanistan and in the Middle East, including Iraq. | He has been promoted to oversee operations in Afghanistan and in the Middle East, including Iraq. |
He will take up the post as head of the US Central Command in late October, working from its headquarters in Tampa, Florida. | He will take up the post as head of the US Central Command in late October, working from its headquarters in Tampa, Florida. |
Achievements | Achievements |
Gen Petraeus handed the command of the 146,000-strong US force at a ceremony in one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces on the outskirts of the capital. | Gen Petraeus handed the command of the 146,000-strong US force at a ceremony in one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces on the outskirts of the capital. |
[Gen Odierno] knows we are at a pivotal moment where progress remains fragile and caution should be the order of the day US Defence Secretary Robert Gates Profile: Gen OdiernoProfile: Gen PetraeusSadr City comes back to life | [Gen Odierno] knows we are at a pivotal moment where progress remains fragile and caution should be the order of the day US Defence Secretary Robert Gates Profile: Gen OdiernoProfile: Gen PetraeusSadr City comes back to life |
He thanked his troops and hailed his successor as "the perfect man for the job". | He thanked his troops and hailed his successor as "the perfect man for the job". |
Gen Odierno said he was aware of the tough task ahead, adding that the Iraqi people must take charge as "the struggle is theirs to win". | Gen Odierno said he was aware of the tough task ahead, adding that the Iraqi people must take charge as "the struggle is theirs to win". |
He said: "Iraq is now a different country from the one I had seen first. However, we must realise that these gains are fragile and reversible." | He said: "Iraq is now a different country from the one I had seen first. However, we must realise that these gains are fragile and reversible." |
Presiding over the ceremony, the US Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, said the two generals had formed an "incredible team" while implementing the "surge" plan in 2007. | Presiding over the ceremony, the US Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, said the two generals had formed an "incredible team" while implementing the "surge" plan in 2007. |
He said that Gen Odierno, who served as deputy commander in Iraq for 15 months, knew "we are at a pivotal moment where progress remains fragile and caution should be the order of the day". | He said that Gen Odierno, who served as deputy commander in Iraq for 15 months, knew "we are at a pivotal moment where progress remains fragile and caution should be the order of the day". |
HAVE YOUR SAYAll the insurgents have to do is wait for the coalition to hand power back to Iraq and withdraw its forcesJohn, DerbyshireSend us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYAll the insurgents have to do is wait for the coalition to hand power back to Iraq and withdraw its forcesJohn, DerbyshireSend us your comments |
Mr Gates recalled the challenges faced by Gen Petraeus, saying: "Darkness had descended on this land. Merchants of chaos were gaining strength. Death was commonplace. | Mr Gates recalled the challenges faced by Gen Petraeus, saying: "Darkness had descended on this land. Merchants of chaos were gaining strength. Death was commonplace. |
"Slowly, but inexorably, the tide began to turn. Our enemies took a fearsome beating they will not soon forget," Mr Gates said. | "Slowly, but inexorably, the tide began to turn. Our enemies took a fearsome beating they will not soon forget," Mr Gates said. |
'Long struggle' | 'Long struggle' |
Alongside the "surge", Gen Petraeus oversaw a major change of strategy, with coalition forces moving out of large bases and into highly populated areas. | Alongside the "surge", Gen Petraeus oversaw a major change of strategy, with coalition forces moving out of large bases and into highly populated areas. |
Since then, the security situation has improved markedly, with less violence and fewer deaths, and progress on both the political and economic fronts. | Since then, the security situation has improved markedly, with less violence and fewer deaths, and progress on both the political and economic fronts. |
The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Baghdad says two other factors were crucial: a ceasefire by the Shia militia and deals with former Sunni insurgents. | The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Baghdad says two other factors were crucial: a ceasefire by the Shia militia and deals with former Sunni insurgents. |
Gen Petraeus on US military strategy in Iraq | Gen Petraeus on US military strategy in Iraq |
But on the eve of Gen Petraeus's departure, a female suicide bomber blew herself up in Diyala province, killing 22 people - a reminder that violence could easily escalate again. | But on the eve of Gen Petraeus's departure, a female suicide bomber blew herself up in Diyala province, killing 22 people - a reminder that violence could easily escalate again. |
The big challenge for Gen Odierno will be finding ways to stop that sort of violence escalating at a time when the number of US troops are shrinking, our correspondent says. | The big challenge for Gen Odierno will be finding ways to stop that sort of violence escalating at a time when the number of US troops are shrinking, our correspondent says. |
In a BBC interview before his departure, Gen Petraeus said he would never declare victory in Iraq and that the US still faced a "long struggle" in the country. | In a BBC interview before his departure, Gen Petraeus said he would never declare victory in Iraq and that the US still faced a "long struggle" in the country. |
When asked if US troops could withdraw from Iraqi cities by the middle of next year, he said that would be "doable". | When asked if US troops could withdraw from Iraqi cities by the middle of next year, he said that would be "doable". |
Mr Bush has announced a cut of 8,000 US troops in Iraq by February - with some 4,500 being sent to Afghanistan. | Mr Bush has announced a cut of 8,000 US troops in Iraq by February - with some 4,500 being sent to Afghanistan. |