Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., said yesterday that he could envision having all American combat troops home from Iraq by the end of next year and that conditions appear to be improving in Iraq's capital as the Iraqi government assumes more responsibility.
"I think the goal of withdrawing (all American) combat troops by the end of 2008 is very realistic and attainable," Sununu told the New Hampshire Sunday News in an exclusive phone interview from Baghdad.
Sununu, touring the war-scarred country this weekend as part of a four-member congressional delegation, said Dec. 31, 2008, is a goal -- not a deadline -- for removing combat troops and that other military personnel would probably stay on to advise and assist the Iraqis.
"I think it would be foolish for anyone to predict a day when there would be zero ...," said Sununu, who faces re-election in 2008.
Sununu marks the second member of the state's four-person congressional delegation to visit Iraq this month.
Two weeks ago, Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H., joined another delegation that visited Baghdad and was told by military leaders that more time would be needed to assess whether a surge of American troops in Baghdad would make the country safer.
Yesterday, Sununu said Iraq recently deployed about 6,000 of its own troops to Baghdad and established 10 districts to help with security. |