Issawi meets General Odierno

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Rafie al-Issawi held on Thursday a meeting with the U.S. commander in Iraq , Army General Ray Odierno, and discussed with him the outcome of the general’s recent visit to Congress and his meetings with congressmen. “Al-Issawi reiterated the Iraqi government’s stance regarding the necessity of completing plans and preparations to implement the coming stage of the U.S. forces withdrawal agreement,” according to a state ment rel eased from his office received by IraqiNews.com news agency. For his part, Odierno asserted the U.S. government’s commitment to the timetable of the troops withdrawal. General Odierno’s testimony to the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee came as members of Congress are increasingly worried about the ability of Iraq ‘s military and police to handle the security burden on the way to a planned U.S. combat force withdrawal next year. Under U.S. President Barack Obama’s plan and a Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, concluded with Iraq by the Bush administration, all U.S. combat forces are to leave Iraq by August 2010, with all advisors and training forces out the following year. Speaking during his third visit to Iraq earlier this month, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden described General Odierno as “optimistic” for thinking that Iraqi forces will be ready to take over from U.S. troops. SH (S)/SR 1