General Petraeus:'Troop withdrawal begins July, 2009'

The Commander of the US forces, General Petraeus, confirms there is an "overall improvement" in security levels across Iraq.

BAGHDAD (AsiaNews) - American troops could begin troop withdrawal in July 2009, according to comments made by General David Petraeus in an interview with British daily The Financial Times. In the course of the article he underscored that this will only be possible "if conditions allow for it".

The Chief of the US forces in the Gulf affirms the overall improvement in security levels across the country, with a reduction in daily attacks "to less then 5 in a metropolis of over 7 million inhabitants". He recalls the "radical change" which has taken place in Iraq since his taking up of the post in February 2007, adding that "there is an obvious sense of hope today, which wasn't there 19 months ago".

Despite a certain underlying optimism, Gen. Petraeus does not hide the "many challenger" which remain to be resolved - starting from the administrative jurisdiction of oil and resource rich Kirkuk, the tensions between the various ethnic groups present in Iraq, the proclamations of Al Qaeda, who's potential "has been reduced" but remains "a constant threat" to security, because it is capable of launching "lethal attacks".

Regarding Afghanistan, he outlines the differences between the two nations and recognises that it is not necessary to adopt the "same strategies" used in Iraq: "There are obvious limits in Afghanistan - comments the US general - which there are not in Iraq because the operative areas and infrastructure is vaster and easier to absorb a greater number of troops in far less time". "Logistics, infrastructure, transport and perhaps even the objectives of the two governments are different" says Petraeus, underlining the diverging operative conditions between Afghanistan and Iraq.

Currently 5 battalions sent to Iraq at the beginning of 2007 are preparing to leave; the number of soldiers therefore will drop to 140 thousand, compared to 158 thousand.Positive signs have also arrived from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)), which underlines an "economic improvement" and a "reduction in inflation", thanks to a "greater overall improvement in security".