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October 8, 2008

Petraeus Sidesteps Election Question in Speech

@ 1:01 pm by Hill Staff

U.S. Central Command head Gen. David Petraeus refused to address the impact of the presidential election on efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan during a speech Wednesday at the conservative Heritage Foundation addressing a number of issues regarding the wars.

Petraeus refused to comment on last night’s Presidential debate, saying: “I’m trying to avoid stepping on any minefields,” and directing his answer away from the Presidential candidates and onto general strategy.

Petraeus said Afghanistan is “going to be the longest campaign of the long war," indicating that any progress achieved in Iraq is as reversible and as fragile as with Iraq.

Petraeus did focus on the need for an understanding of the people at a local level and for promoting reconciliation.  The U.S. troops are working on transitioning Iraqi security to the Iraqis, with Iraqi battalions increasing from 90 in 2005 to 200 currently.

This past Ramadan was the “most peaceful Ramadan Iraq has had even with some terrible attacks in Baghdad” the General declared as he highlighted the success of the surge in descreasing civilian deaths and sectarian violence.

-Lauren Vernon

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