Cole Statement on Recommendations Made by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) issued the following statement today after General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker delivered their Iraq progress reports to Congress.

"The progress report we received today indicates that there has been substantial successes and that the recent troop surge has worked as it pertains to the security situation in Iraq. Although there is much work still to be done, there is irrefutable evidence that in the past eight to twelve weeks, the security strategy in Baghdad has worked to diminish sectarian violence. Our troops have seen some of their greatest triumphs in Anbar Province, where the level of violence has declined steadily for over six straight months. That violence has declined in part because of our efforts to smother Al-Qaeda's movement of terror that started in Anbar Province. Fighting these battles in Iraq has helped significantly to diminish their ability to bring their movement of terror into our country."

"We cannot afford to fail in Iraq. In fact, General Petraeus noted that failure or rapid withdrawal would mean immense human suffering for thousands of Middle Easterners and would further exacerbate the number of refugees that would be forced to flee to neighboring countries. Furthermore, failure in Iraq, precipitated by a premature withdrawal, will leave a power void that would almost certainly be filled by Iran. That is not a risk the United States can take because it affects our own security."

"It is vital that our leaders put aside politics and come together to give our military and the elected leaders in Iraq the time they need to transition power effectively. General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker have given the American people a candid assessment of our progress in Iraq, as well as our setbacks. The path to success in Iraq is not going to be quick or simple, but given their assessments, it is clear to me that we are making important progress."

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