Any Change in Iraq Strategy Should Be Done Slowly, General Says

WASHINGTON — Any change of military strategy in Iraq should be done slowly and deliberately or American troops and the Iraqi population will be put in danger, a top American commander said yesterday.

Lieutenant General Raymond Odierno also told Pentagon reporters that while he will be able to give American leaders an assessment in September of whether of progress in Iraq is continuing, he will need more time to tell if improvements represent long term trends. "In order to do a good assessment I need at least until November," General Odierno said in a video conference from Iraq. General Odierno painted an optimistic picture of progress in Iraq since the American troop buildup was completed about a month ago and the Baghdad security plan was ramped up with large-scale operations.

He said there has been "significant success" in the last four weeks in that the increased military operations have denied Al Qaeda safe havens in Baghdad, Iraqi security forces are growing in strength and ability and reconciliation efforts with tribal leaders and Sunni militants are gaining momentum.

Asked why the message doesn't have more impact in at home, where the public support for the war is declining and some lawmakers are calling for a strategy change, General Odierno said: "All I can do is tell you what is going on. I can't make anyone listen."