Washington, Sep 10, 2007 -  

U.S. Congressman John Carter (TX-31), House Conference Secretary, issued the following statement after General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testified today to the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees on the status of the troops’ progress in Iraq:

“Today Gen. Petraeus and Amb. Crocker gave a very honest, clear-cut assessment of the security and political realities in Iraq based on facts from the front lines. Gen. Petraeus is a military expert who has dedicated thirty years to military service, and we owe him and our troops serious consideration of this report. 

“After returning from my fourth trip to Iraq I can testify that what General Petraeus has reported about the significant progress in reducing the level of violence is true. I have witnessed the American soldiers working with the Iraqi forces to bring their country to a more secure state. Our soldiers on the ground believe strongly in what they are fighting for and our generals have a clear assessment of the progress that is being made. We all want to see our troops come home, and today Gen. Petraeus outlined a plan for a modest drawdown of troops due to the successes that have been achieved in recent months.

“Gen. Petraeus also identified the irresponsibility of a premature withdrawal of our troops and the devastation it would have on progress that has been made in the region. I would advise my colleagues to consider this dire fate before they choose to surrender and pull out.

“Gen. Petraeus is a man of integrity and is doing exactly what Congress has asked him to do by delivering a very honest report. It is clear we have a choice to make here in Washington. We can surrender or we can put our political battles aside, work together to give our troops the opportunity they need to succeed, and march them home under the American flag-not the white flag.”