in the onset of the election it is being characterized as a success. how would you characterize the security situation now looking forward in the months to come? what are your main concerns? well, first off, i want to compliment the iraqi security forces for the job they did in the elections. they really did a very good job, and the majority of iraqis were able to vote freely all over the country yesterday, i want to thank them. as we look ahead, it s important that iraqi security forces continue to take more and more control this is an evolutionary process. we see them continuing to improve and we think by the end of august, that we ll be able to end our combat mission and reduce our presence here to about 50,000. you talk about an evolutionary process. one that some would characterize as fragile. mr. ambassador, with 96,000 troops still there on the ground, and many of them are
them. richard, the question to you is given the makeup of the new government, how it will be, does that raise questions if there could be a resurgence of sectarian violence that could prevent the withdrawal of u.s. troops? it would have to be something pretty catastrophic to prevent the withdrawal of american troops. as you know better than anyone, that is a political decision made in washington. troops here are already looking toward home. in some of the few weeks, some of the smaller outposts will collapse and equipment packed up, some heading to afghanistan. the withdrawal process is already under way. it s probably premature to declare this election means the u.s. mission in iraq was a success. there are still quite a few hurdles to go. this election period is the last step for the american engagement
served as poll station workers and as observers. as expected, there were some incidents of violence, as al qaeda in iraq and other extremists tried to disrupt iraq s progress by murdering innocent iraqis who were exercising their democratic rights. but overall, the level of security and the prevention of destabilizing attacks speaks to the growing capability and professionalism of iraqi security forces, which took the lead in providing protection at the polls. i also want to express my admiration for the thousands of americans on the ground in iraq, for our civilians and our men and women if uniform who continue to support our iraqi partners. this election is also a tribute to all who have served and sacrificed if iraq over the last seven years, including many who have given their lives. we are mindful, however, that today s voting is the beginning and not the end of a long,
hopefully the positive that will continue in the days ahead, as so pumuch is riding in u.s. involvement. kate, thanks so much. i know you can t see it, but here s the president of the united states along with the vice president. today, the people of iraq went to the polls to choose their leaders in iraq s second national election. by any measure, this was an important milestone in iraqi history. dozens of parties and coalitions fielded thousands of parliamentary candidates, men and women. ballots were cast at some 50,000 voting booths. and in a strong turnout, millions of iraqis exercised their right to vote with enthusiasm and optimism. today s voting making it clear that the future of iraq belongs to the people of iraq. the election was organized and administered by iraq s independent high electoral commission with critical support from the united nations. hundreds of thousands of iraqis
saddam hussein. today the people of iraq went to the polls to choose their leaders in iraq s second national election. by any measure this was an important milestone in iraqi history. dozens of parties and coalitions feel that thousands of parliamentary candidates, men and women cast 50,000 voting booths. in a strong turnout, millions exercised their right to vote with enthusiasm and optimism. it s clear that the future of iraq belongs to the people of iraq. the election was organized and administered by iraq s independent high electoral commission with critical support from the united nations. hundreds of thousands of iraqis served as poll station workers and as observers. as expected, there were some incidents of violence as al-qaeda in iraq and other extremists trying to disrupt by