Odierno outlines Iraq accomplishments, reflects on way ahead with home media

Photo By Staff Sgt. Curt Cashour | Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of Multi-National Corps - Iraq, speaks with central Texas-based reporters via satellite Feb. 13. During the 30-minute question and answer session, Odierno spoke about the accomplishments of coalition and Iraqi forces and the implementation of the new Baghdad Security Plan.  

02.22.2007

Courtesy Story

28th Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Curt Cashour
MNC-I Public Affairs

The next few months represent a vital time in the history of Iraq and the United States' involvement in the Middle East, as coalition forces begin a push to help Iraqis secure Baghdad and its surrounding areas, said Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of Multi-National Corps-Iraq, Feb. 13.

Odierno, who is responsible for day-to-day military operations in Iraq, made the comments during a half-hour question-and-answer session conducted via satellite from Camp Victory with central Texas-based reporters.

The problems facing Iraq are complex and stem from a combination of insurgent activity, sectarian violence, governmental dysfunction and corruption. Despite these obstacles, members of Iraq's military and government have shown a commitment to achieving a secure Iraq and a stable government, Odierno said.

"The bottom line is (Iraqi forces) are working extremely hard. They are being injured alongside of us. They are being killed alongside of us. They are standing and fighting, and they are dedicated to their country being successful," he said.

"Our most important contribution in the coming months is assisting Iraqi leaders in securing the populace," Odierno said, referring to the new Baghdad Security Plan. The plan, which involves bringing around 20,000 additional U.S. troops to Iraq over the next few months, will provide flexibility in dealing with sources of instability in the country as the Iraqi government continues to mature.

Key to the security plan will be the establishment of joint security stations, combat outposts manned by both Iraqi and coalition forces that will provide a 24-hour-a-day security presence in violence-plagued areas.

This full-time presence will lead to better intelligence gathering capabilities, allow the Iraqi people to develop confidence in their security forces and enhance cooperation and confidence between Iraqi and coalition forces, Odierno said.

In Baghdad, 15 outposts out of an eventual 32 have already been set up, he said.
So far, Iraqi cooperation in the plan has been tremendous, as evidenced by the Iraqi government's movement over the last 60 days to help coalition forces capture more than 1,000 people associated with extremist militias, Odierno said.

Other bright spots for the government include a more even-handed approach in dealing with violence and sectarian strife and new policies that aim to foster reconciliation among Iraq's various sects, he said.

Though he expressed confidence that Iraq is on the path to self sufficiency, Odierno stressed that success will hinge on the government's ability to sustain and build upon recent progress. Even then, results will take time.

"This is not going to be something that's successful overnight. This is something that's going to take a significant amount of time and hard work," he said.

• Date Taken: 02.22.2007
• Date Posted: 02.22.2007 07:35
• Story ID: 9216