Full text: Petraeus and Crocker testimony

Full text: Petraeus and Crocker testimony

By: The Politico Staff

September 10, 2007 04:03 PM EST

Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testified before a joint session of the House armed services and foreign affairs committees on Monday.

Here is the full text of Petraeus' remarks. Here is Ambassador Crocker's statement in full.

Petraeus began by saying his testimony was purely his own, likely a response to accusations by opponents of the war that the general was effectively working as a salesman for the administration.

He said that, "as a bottom line up front, the military objectives of the surge are, in large measure, being met."

He suggested troop levels could begin to fall "by next summer" to pre-surge levels.

And he presented slides which he said review "the nature of the conflict in Iraq, recall the situation before the surge, describe the current situation, and explain the recommendations I have provided to my chain of command for the way ahead in Iraq."

Crocker said a "secure, stable, democratic Iraq at peace with its neighbors is attainable."

But, he added, "the process will not be quick, it will be uneven, punctuated by setbacks as well as achievements, and it will require substantial U.S. resolve and commitment."