Gen. Petraeus: July 2011 Deadline Not Cut And Dry

By Alexa Gitler - Talk Radio News Service

Army General David H. Petraeus told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee met Tuesday that the July 2011 deadline for troop withdrawal from Afghanistan will take time and won’t happen overnight.

The Army General was appointed by President Barack Obama to become the Commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Commander of the United States Forces in Afghanistan. Petraeus previously served as Commander of the United States Central Command in Iraq where he was responsible for the training, equipping, and mentoring of Iraq’s growing army and police. 

Although there was overwhelming bipartisan support for Petraeus’ nomination, concerns heightened among several committee members over the July 2011 reduction of military presence in Afghanistan and how the General would handle guidelines set by the Obama administration. 

“I support the policy of the President,” Petraeus said. “July 2011 is not a date when we will be rapidly withdrawing out forces and switching off the lights and closing the door behind us.” 

Petraeus addressed the growing concerns of the committee on how smoothly the transition from policies such as the Rules of Engagement would be implemented under new leadership. The Rules of Engagement, which require strict reviews of requests for the use of air power in the field and set strict protocols on when and how soldiers can use deadly force, were drawn up by Gen. Stanley McChrystal to limit the number of civilian casualties that have been infuriating Afghans and has been one of the Taliban’s best recruiting tools.

“I would continue McChrystal’s emphasis on reducing loss of civilian life in the course of operations,” Petraeus said. “It is critical to reduce civilian casualties but some leaders may be too restrictive in how the rules and directives are applied.” 

Petraeus assured the committee that he was ready and willing to step in if confirmed.

“There are currently nearly 140,000 coalition troopers and over 235,000 Afghan security force members engaged in hard work,” he said. “If I am confirmed by the Senate, it will be a great privilege to soldier with them in the hard work that is so worth doing in that country.”