Whitewashing the War in Iraq

CANBERRA (Reuters) - The U.S. troop surge in Iraq has thrown al Qaeda off balance and led to a reduction in sectarian violence and bombings, the U.S. commander in Iraq was quoted on Friday by an Australian newspaper as saying.
"We say we have achieved progress, and we are obviously going to do everything we can to build on that progress and we believe al Qaeda is off balance at the very least," General David Petraeus told the Australian in an interview after briefing Australia's defense minister, Brendan Nelson, in Baghdad.
Read More...Petraeus says Iraq "surge" working: paper

"After years of slogans and soundbites Americans deserve an even-handed assessment of conditions in Iraq," Rep. Emanuel (D-IL) said. "Sadly, we will only receive a snapshot from the same people who told us the mission was accomplished and the insurgency was in its last throes. We've spent hundreds of billions of dollars and lost thousands of lives in Iraq. An honest report from our generals and diplomats about the status of the war isn't too much to ask."

Read More...September progress report being written by White House

Two sides of the same coin. We can hardly expect to get a true and honest assessment when President Bush has long said the report will represent the views of Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of US troops in Iraq, and US Ambassador Ryan Crocker, it is actually being prepared by the White House with input from officials throughout the government, according to the Times. Petraeus and Crocker will present their recommendations on Capitol Hill, legislation passed by Congress leaves it to the president to decide how to interpret the report's data.

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