'Take Care of Our Own'

" Now we're joined live by former democratic presidential candidate in NATO allied supreme commander general Wesley Clark general always great to see what do you think in this plan. Well I think it's good common sense plan we clearly have to come out of Iraq. We've been there we've done our job General Petraeus general Odierno all the men and women of the armed forces. We've got an urgent need for more troops in Afghanistan the president was elected on the promise of reducing that commitment getting out of getting us out of Iraq so I think he's listened to his national security team. And he's made a decision. It's up to our military commanders and our diplomats in the region to executed by the way we've got a great new diplomat going in there Chris hill who. Has done so much work and so many conflicts situations. I think he's the right guy on the spot diplomatically and this is what many of us believe we needed we needed diplomatic course Powell as well as military strength in their. The remaining troops apparently will not be combat brigades what happens if our enemies in Iraq's enemies and lying in wait till that magical date of the pull out. What happens then if we don't have combat troops there as force protection. Well I think there should be -- force protection element here but also the Iraqis have to step up to the to the bar and they have to do -- protecting. In this region so I don't think any of our generation ever underestimate the capacity are well the United States to take care of our own people. We've got plenty of will and plenty of capacity and will be here but. It's important that the Iraqis themselves gained confidence. That is their country and they can take it back and help run it and provide for the well being of the Iraqi People. One of the reasons we -- Intel -- wrong on Iraq before the war is. We didn't have any -- bear. -- Would it be wise and prudent -- to make sure that we don't do that again and this time we will have working Intel. Within the borders of Iraq. Well I'm sure that they'll be arrangements made so that we can can work with people inside Iraq and so forth but you know at some of the best Intel has not from spies is from conversations. With. The heads of state and this is why. I've been one of those who has strongly supported the president. In warning to under -- just -- With Iran for example we have to talk to our enemies as well as our friends. Some of the best intelligence I ever got as the NATO commander and before that in -- staff came from Reading diplomatic cables and diplomats no conversations. On our air a couple of hours ago John McCain joined us live -- made the following point. At this withdrawal plan was only made possible by the success of the surge. Which Barack Obama opposed. Their statement. Well I talk to the Iraqi National Security Adviser in Washington. About a month ago when I asked him about this kind of a statement he said yes we always appreciate the presence -- American troops but a lot of other things happen. That reduced the violence at the time the Iraqis got their act together. The Iranians decided they would stop feeding the violence the Sunnis decided. That they really needed to cooperate with the government they were hurt by the saudis to do so there were a lot of different factors involved there don't want take anything away the American forces. And their good work. But the addition of a few 1030000. Troops -- so. Was only one factor. I would also today another factor was the change in tactics in Baghdad -- and protecting the population so so many things contributed to this. And and I think that you know you can also go back and say if you were on Barack Obama's side he was calling for more diplomacy at the time -- and more work politically and -- Fact that's what happened -- to -- legitimate outcome of the characters like general Wesley Clark thank you just as terrorists -- where the factions inside so it all had to come together. General Wesley Clark as always thank you so much thank."