Commission says Iraq making slow progress
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. commission of military experts said Iraqi security forces are making progress but aren't ready to assume responsibility for security in Iraq.
The report, presented Thursday to the Senate Armed Services Committee, said U.S. and coalition support will be required until independent operational capability to defend against external threats to Iraq is achieved.
The independent commission, established by Congress, looked at the readiness of the Iraqi security forces assume responsibility for maintaining the territorial integrity of Iraq, their ability to deny international terrorists safe haven, their ability to bring greater security to Iraq's 18 provinces and their ability to bring an end to sectarian violence.
Retired Marine Gen. James L. Jones said there could be a reduction of U.S. military forces in Iraq in the next 12 to 18 months as the Iraqi army and the police force continue to develop.
The report said improvement has been made in internal security missions, such as denying a safe haven to terrorists. The commission said it expects that the Iraqi security forces can bring greater security to the provinces in the next year, assuming a continuing rate of progress.
Armor-piercing grenades being used in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Al-Qaida in Iraq has claimed responsibility for attacks using armor-piercing grenades that the U.S. military blamed for the deaths of several soldiers.
U.S. Army Capt. Benjamin Jones said the weapons were used by militants to kill Pfc. Jeremiah Vietch and Pvt. Steven Davis on separate occasions while they were traveling in armored vehicles in Baghdad during June and July, CBS News reported Thursday.
Terrorist organization al-Qaida in Iraq has taken responsibility for use of the Russian-made weapons, announcing three months ago the creation of the "Thermal Brigade" and releasing a video featuring black-clad operatives wielding the weapons.
U.S. commanders told CBS News the weapons are being used more often in Baghdad and the attacks are difficult to stop because the grenades are often launched by militants disguised as civilians at the side of the road.
Democrats consider compromise in Iraq
WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Congressional Democratic leaders in Washington voiced an openness to compromise in an attempt to pull some of the U.S. soldiers out of Iraq.
Senate Democratic leaders said they are trying to attract Republican support to see at least modest troop withdrawals within the next few months, The New York Times reported Thursday.
Senior Democrats said they would be willing to rethink their push to establish a withdrawal deadline of next spring if it would attract the 60 Senate votes needed to pass.
“If we have to make the spring part a goal, rather than something that is binding, and if that is able to produce some additional votes to get us over the filibuster, my own inclination would be to consider that,” said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., told the Times.
The proposal, made by Levin and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., would still call for the withdrawal of at least some U.S. combat troops from Iraq.
Bush accepts China's Olympic invitation
SYDNEY, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. President Bush, at a meeting in Australia with Chinese President Hu Jintao, accepted an invitation to attend next year’s Beijing Olympics.
Bush aides said the president’s plan to go to Beijing did not mean giving his seal of approval to China on human rights.
“President Bush also raised the issue politically of religious freedom and democracy in China,” Deputy National Security Adviser Jim Jeffreys said. “He agreed that he would -- he accepted the invitation to go to the Olympics, and he stressed that for him that he was going to the Olympics for the sports and not for any political statement.”
The Beijing Summer Games are shaping up to be the most controversial Olympics in years. A number of human rights groups have called for boycotts, some over specific issues like China’s claims on Tibet.
Michael Green, a former Asia director at the National Security Council, said Bush‘s decision to go to Beijing cuts both ways for China. His expected presence “in subtle ways raises pressure on the Chinese to perform,” Green told The New York Times.
