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By Sgt. Jeff Lowry
124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment 

U.S. Army Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., answers questions during a round-table discussion with reporters Wednesday in Baghdad. Department of Defense photo by Army Sgt. Jeff Lowry, 124th MPAD.

The Coalition sees improvements in the Iraqi security forces everyday, said Gen. George W. Casey, Jr. 

“I don’t have a definite date, but I can see, 12 to 18 months, the Iraqi security forces progressing to where they can take on security responsibilities with very little Coalition support,” Casey said.

The general also said within that time frame it will be Iraqis who will make the choice.

“In 12 to 18 months Coalition presence will be decided by the Iraqi government,” he said.

The MNF-I commander also outlined the three-step process that continues to put Iraqis in the lead.

The first is to equip them, the second to put them in the lead with Coalition support, and the third to get them to the state where they can support themselves independently of Coalition support, Casey explained.

 “Soon you’ll have an Iraqi chain of command from the prime minister to the soldiers,” Casey said of the Iraqi security forces. “Right now they are under my control.” 

Casey is proud of the strides made so far, but said there is much work still to be done. 

“I’m pleased with the progress to date, but we have a long way to go,” he said. The Iraqi people aren't going to have the security that they want until the Iraqi security forces are the primary and dominant providers of security in the country."

The general pointed out the troubles that still remain to be faced before Iraq will be secure.

“The primary threats to Baghdad are terrorists and death squads,” said Casey. “Both of these threats have to be addressed if Iraq is to progress.”

He commented on militias that remain a thorn in side of Iraq’s security.

“There are political and military tracks that are working parallel together to stand down militias,” said Casey.

He said it will ultimately be up to Iraqis and their trust toward Iraqi military and police.

“When people feel comfortable with the security forces, they’ll rely less on the militias, the general explained.

“Some of the militias are no better than the criminal element within Iraq,” Casey said. “No government can tolerate this.