Скачать или смотреть As U.S. forces in Iraq continue to hand over security issues and sites to Iraqi forces, Iraqi Prime

(4 Feb 2009) (HEADLINE: U.S., Iraq continue security transition
CAPTION: As U.S. forces in Iraq continue to hand over security issues and sites to Iraqi forces, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is confident Iraq's troops can handle the transition of power. (Feb. 4)
[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]
THIS IS NO LONGER AN AMERICAN MILITARY BASE.
ON WEDNESDAY U-S TROOPS IN BAGHDAD HANDED OVER THE FORMER SCHOOL TO IRAQI SECURITY FORCES.
[Notes:12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Boccardi, US Army:]
"I think it's a tremendous step forward.
Under the CURRENT U-S-IRAQI security deal, US forces will withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30 and FROM the entire country by January 1, 2012.
Violence has dropped by more than 80 percent around Iraq and particularly in Baghdad since its peak more than a year ago. BUT OFFICIALS WARN THAT SECURITY CONDIDTIONS ARE STILL FRAGILE.
[Notes:2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Boccardi, US Army:]
"We've passed the possession of this security station to the Iraqi police, and with that passes the security, more importantly the security of the local population, which is really the key, that is the symbolic key."
IRAQI PRIME MINISTER NOURI AL-MALIKI SAYS IRAQI SECURITY FORCES ARE "CAPABLE OF CONTROLLING THE SECURITY SITUATION" IN IRAQ AND FILLING ANY GAPS.
THIS LATEST HAND-OVER COMES JUST DAYS AFTER PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAILED THE PERIOD OF RELATIVELY-VIOLENCE FREE VOTING -- AND HINTED THAT MORE U-S TROOPS COULD RETURN HOME WITHIN A YEAR.

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