Iraq Update

Published: Tue, 28 Jul 2009

Description: Defense Secretary Gates assesses situation

Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)

" Law and in Baghdad Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with Iraqi prime minister nori Al Maliki. To assess the security situation in the first month after American combat troops pulled out of major urban areas. Gates went to the Iraqi capital after meeting with US forces in southern Iraq. Reporter David piper has more on the secretary's returned to the region."

" This is the first time defense sector Robert Gates has visited Iraq since the June 15 agreement was implemented an Iraqi forces took the lead normal security matters. He chose to visit the -- you'll have place here in southern Iraq. Because it was one of the first US brigades tossed to -- new mission of advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces. "

" What I've heard here is that it has been. Very successful. Can the feedback I got here was that the agreement has changed the chemistry in the relationship. Between Iraqi. Police and military on the one hand hand our military. In a positive way."

" The Iraqi military is equally positive but these are asking for more help dealing with major problems such as almost being smuggled -- the nearby border from Iran. And release contains and the future direction from the -- and NBC picked all the promises Iran's. We should use our meeting -- you to focus on expense -- current team. -- in terms of the war and see how -- US forces and the Iraqi military. All working together try to stop the arms smugglers over three days we so close cooperation between the two. Including Iraqi border guards leaving -- night patrol -- the smugglers. There are those still some problems the sort -- hit the US and Iraqi forces want to work together successfully. But many missions particularly insists his US patrols need to get permission from the Iraqi military to proceed -- difficulties that times for some of my guys that think it might be a little frustrating based off of the guys that have been here before. You know as before as everyone knows we we did the security so we. We -- that are operations when we needed to do operations. Often the problem seems to be that request to go all the way up the Iraqi army's chain of Kamal before Decision -- is finally made. The US and Iraqi -- is really have to sort out their differences and make this agreement book because ultimately the future of this country depends on it. In southeast Iraq -- point folks --"

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an unmistakable signal that we will keep our commitments. With the sovereign Iraqi Government . As I said before we -- no bases in Iraq nor do we make any claim on Iraq's territory or resources. Going forward we will continue to provide training and support for Iraqi Security Forces that are capable and nonsectarian. We'll move forward with our strategy to responsibly remove all American combat brigades from Iraq. By the end of next August and to fulfill our commitment to remove all American troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. As we move forward prime minister Maliki and I have no doubt that there will be some tough days ahead. There will be attacks on Iraqi Security Forces and the American troops supporting them. There are still those in Iraq would murder innocent men women and children. There's still those who want -- foment. Sectarian conflict. But make no mistake. Those efforts will fail. Iraqi People have already rejected these forces of division of destruction. And American troops have the capability to support and flexibility they need to stand with our Iraqi partners on behalf. Of -- sovereign secure and self reliant Iraq. Because we believe that the future does not belong to those who would destroy it belongs to those who would build. To that in America strongly supports efforts by the Iraqi Government to promote national unity. Which will help ensure that people in all parts of Iraq can live in peace and prosperity. Prime

future. This progress has been made possible by the resilience of the Iraqi people and security forces. And also because of the extraordinary service of American troops and civilians in Iraq. Now were in the midst

they've been given and they forged countless partnerships and friendships with the Iraqi People . I know that this story is one the can be told by people in both our country and that the Iraqi People have been to work extraordinary hardship. In their pursuit of a brighter day. So many Iraqis and Americans have made so many

adventures effected its infrastructure effected the services that should've gone to the Iraqi People therefore the relationship between the two sides. As it did see and witness progress on the security front. And in combating terror.

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