U.S. Stuck In Iraq

Miami Herald

Eight days before U.S. caretakers are scheduled to turn over control of Iraq to an interim government, Pentagon officials told Congress that American soldiers are likely to remain there for years.

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, one of the Bush administration’s strongest advocates for the invasion, told the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that it would be inadvisable to set a deadline for the departure of American troops, who make up the vast majority of a U.N.-sanctioned multinational force.

Wolfowitz also said a continued U.S. presence in Iraq is likely to cost taxpayers as much as $60 billion through the end of next year, twice what Congress has approved.

"From your description, Mr. Secretary, I don’t see an end in sight," said Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo. "We’re stuck."

"We’re not stuck, Mr. Skelton," Wolfowitz said.

"Tell us what your measurement is for success," Skelton countered. "People ask me this. I have no answer."

"When it becomes an Iraqi fight, and the Iraqis are prepared to take on the fight, they’re prepared to join their security forces. We are prepared to arm and equip them to do it," Wolfowitz responded. "I can’t tell you how long that’s going to take."

Returning from a 4 ½-day trip to Iraq, Wolfowitz said the Iraqis had made progress.

On June 30, an interim Iraqi government made up of a president, two deputy presidents, a prime minister and 26 ministers will assume day-to-day governing responsibility.

A multinational force made up of 140,000 U.S. troops and 23,000 troops from other countries under American command will continue to provide security. An Iraqi army of 35,000 troops will have the option of participating with multinational forces or acting on their own.

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http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_iraq_062304,00.html