IRAQ: US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE SAYS US TROOPS WILL STAY IN IRAQ AS LONG AS NECESSARY UNTIL IRAQI TROOPS CAN HANDLE OWN SECURITY

Record ID: 222881

  • Title: IRAQ: US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE SAYS US TROOPS WILL STAY IN IRAQ AS LONG AS NECESSARY UNTIL IRAQI TROOPS CAN HANDLE OWN SECURITY
  • Date: 17th June 2004
  • Summary: (U4)MOSUL, IRAQ (JUNE 17, 2004) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. EXTERIOR OF MEETING VENUE 2. U.S. DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PAUL WOLFOWITZ AND GENERAL GEORGE CASEY (ON WOLFOWITZ'S RIGHT) AT MEETING 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) WOLFOWITZ SAYING: (transcript to follow) "The role of the coalition forces after July 1 will be to support Iraqi security forces as much as they need help. And we know that for some time to come they will need some substantial help. "And a great effort is going into strengthening Iraqi security forces and they are not ready to assume their job and until they are you can count on us." "Our relationship after July 1 with the new government of Iraq will be one of partnership. We approach the security issues from a common perspective with common objectives and we will be consulting with, coordinating with between the coalition forces that will now be called the multinational force of Iraq and the government of Iraq on a daily basis." 4. WOLFOWITZ BOARDING AIRCRAFT 1.27 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 2nd July 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MOSUL,IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVA7NGF1GJ8ZELUFWT6QJV3BFBAA
  • Story Text: U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz says
    U.S. troops will stay in Iraq as long as necessary until
    Iraqi forces can handle security on their own.




    U.S. troops will remain in Iraq as long as necessary
    until Iraqi forces can handle security on their own, Deputy
    Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said on Thursday (June 17)
    during a visit to northern Iraq.

    "The role of the coalition forces after July 1 will be
    to support Iraqi security forces as much as they need help.

    And we know that for some time to come they will need some
    substantial help",
    Wolfowitz told reporters in Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north
    of Baghdad.

    The U.S.-led administration hands over sovereignty to
    an Iraqi government on June 30, but some 150,000 foreign
    soldiers will still be in Iraq, generating controversy over
    what level of control the Iraqi government should have over
    the troops.

    "A great effort is now going on to strengthen the Iraqi
    security forces. Iraqi security forces are not ready to
    assume their job, and until they are, you can count on us",
    Wolfowitz said.

    "Our relationship after July 1 with the new government
    of Iraq will be one of partnership. We approach the
    security issues from a common perspective with common
    objectives and we will be consulting with, coordinating
    with between the coalition forces that will now be called
    the multinational force of Iraq and the government of Iraq
    on a daily basis," Wolfowitz said.

    Wolfowitz was accompanied by General George Casey, who
    has been nominated to take over from Lieutenant General
    Ricardo Sanchez as commander of the multinational force in
    Iraq.


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