Gen. Odierno on 'FNS'

" years ago today the US transferred sovereignty to Iraq. And a few days from now US troops will withdraw from all major cities in Iraq here to talk about these milestone. Commanding officer in charge general Ray Odierno we comes to a slot from Baghdad general welcome to FOX News Sunday. Thank you -- General William make the deadline of June 30 to pull US troops out of major cities inside Iraq. Well Brett -- we've already -- met the deadline we have already moved out of the cities have been slowly doing it over the last eight months. In the final units have moved out of the cities over the last several weeks. So there are more than 130000. US troops still on the ground in Iraq and in recent days there has been. Serious uptick in violence. At least 200 people killed in in recent days in these spectacular attacks. What is happening with this recent uptick in violence in your thing."

" Well again I would say that overall stability in Iraq remains good. What we've had is we've had some extremist elements trying to bring attention to themselves. As well as divert attention from the progress being made in Iraq and so we've seen a couple high profile attacks. Aimed at the aimed at innocent civilians. I think what this is done frankly is what the aero. Iraqi citizens against these groups. And I think you'll pardon them and supporting them and frankly I believe we'll make it much more difficult for them to continue to operate inside of Iraq over the long term. Turn on April you said that this deadline might have to shift based on what you are seeing on the ground. What changed for you'd be able to get to this point. Yep well bred in May we had the lowest level for instance we've ever had on record in Iraq in the end in the first. Three weeks of June we do as well you've seen a slight uptick this past week with these high profile attacks but again I would say. These are just extremist elements that are attempting to bring attention to themselves. And I I think this is the right time for us to turn responsibility over to the Iraqis."

" Understanding that this is part of the agreement that the US signed with Iraq. Are the Iraqis ready how confident argue that they can handle the task of providing security in these cities."

" But I'm fairly confident -- obviously you're working in close partnership with them for very long time we've seen constant improvement. An Iraqi Security Forces over the last two years. We've also seen improvement in local governments and provincial governance we've seen some improvement in the federal government. We've also seen the resilience of the citizens in the fact that they want the Iraqi Security Forces to take over security and I think all these factors. Combined with the continued improvement. In overall stability and security makes this the right time for us to turn this over to the Iraqi Security Forces. "

" General Iraqi prime minister nori Al Maliki calls this a great victory for the Iraqis he described it as a -- whole ocean of the foreign occupiers. He compares it to the rebellion against British troops in 1920s. Now understanding he's playing to an Iraqi audience here ahead of an election in January. The US has spent hundreds of billions of dollars in Iraq we've lost one of 4300 men and women there you find this terminology. Acceptable."

" frankly that's not exactly how I read I believe this is a celebration. We've seen the last few days as a talking about this as a celebration of Iraqi being able to Iraqis. Iraqi Security Forces being able to take over responsibility. Inside their cities and they're seeing and as a progression. In their capacities. And I think that's the important point and we've seen an emphasize more and more over the last several days while all Iraqi leaders both in the local press and an international pressure. And I think that's the appropriate tone. And I believe I agree -- and I think it is time for them. -- to take responsibility inside the cities he doesn't talk publicly about the American role of providing security what does he said privately to -- Well -- we've had a partnership we build a heart partnership here over the last two and happened three years. Through the search through the dark days here in Iraq when attacks war. Ten times what they are today when there are significant amount of more civilian casualties we worked very hard together. Two and -- this improvement has been sacrifices by Iraqi Security Forces the sacrifices by the coalition forces they recognize this. We are continuing this partnership. But it's time for this partnership to have an Iraqi league it's time for this partnership to have Iraqis up front it's time for us to support that."

" The rules of this agreement today barred US troops from. Using armored vehicles inside cities during the day there was a report to that effect. And is this possibly more dangerous for US troops in this different scenario being outside the city's."

" first there's nothing in the security agreement that bars us from using any type of vehicles. All our units have several sets of vehicles they have. Tanks Bradley humvees and wraps. The commanders get to decide which vehicles -- used based on the situation. That there and then that will not change. After the security agreement. I believe that with the coordination we've set in place with the trainers advisers are coordinating ailments we have established at each level of command. I believe we'll build and maintain the necessary. Oversight. And and situation awareness to protect our soldiers sailors airmen Marines as we continue operations general what's -- reaction inside Iraq to the situation on the ground in Iran its -- Well I think it's been so they're just watching. I don't think has been any overreaction. What I do believe though is that it gives them. A more confidence in their government in the fact that they just went through legitimate and credible elections to elect their provincial leaders. And the fact that they're going to go through. A credible and legitimate elections. Here for their national leaders in January. And that they will oversee those elections and they will have UN and international observers will validate those elections. And I think that will also encourage them to continue to move towards democracy. The couple quick questions are -- fears as the US. I -- I'm sure that some people have those fears. My assessment here. Is that Iraqis want to control their own destiny. They don't want anybody else filling that gap. So when we leave they won't they will we will leave and they will have the capability to do that they will not allow anyone else to come in here. And try to fill the gap instead they believe they are Nationalists. They want to control their own -- they they understand and want to have full sovereignty. Over their own country lastly general what's your biggest concern going forward what what makes you stay up -- night. Well I mean it it it it has to do with the potential political drivers of instability that remained. We still have much work to do in terms of our current relations. We still have. Reconciliation. To go through we've made some good steps towards reconciliation but they have to continue. Two. Address the area of reconciliation Iraq's I think it's these political issues. That will be the most important as we move towards the national elections. And I think these could cause some instability and that's what I worry about. What I hope -- it will be solved through politics and diplomatic measures and not through violence. General Odierno thanks for taking the time with us this morning thank you for your service. And good luck. Thank you very much credits and it's a pleasure to be with -- is more."