The Hill News

Vice President Biden assured veterans Monday that conditions in Iraq are improving, noting that the US withdrawal of combat troops from the region represents an important opportunity for Iraqi leaders.

He also restated that while the Obama administration is committed to a final withdrawal deadline of summer 2011, that US involvement in Iraq will not end at that time. 

"We are not leaving in 2011 ... we are beginning the transition," he told the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention in Indianapolis. "The date is important to the Iraqis. We wanted to make clear to them that they must step up. They must exercise sovereignty if they're ever going to prevail."

He added that the administration is "following President Bush's proposal for a long-term relationship with Iraq," describing security and economic partnerships that will last beyond the US' troop commitment.

There are currently 650,000 Iraqi security forces currently active.

Biden noted that their recent operations have eliminated more than 30 top al-Qaeda operatives. He also stressed the importance of the "political progress" marked by the disputed March 7 elections.

"Politics and not war has broken out in Iraq," he said. "The hard work of forming a new government is underway. I personally have made it clear to the leading politicians that it's time for them to match the courage of their citizens by completing this process." 

He downplayed rumors of Iranian influence on the Iraqi national government.

"Iranian influence in Iraq is minimal, and greatly exaggerated," he said. "Iran spent $100 million to sway the Iraqi people. None of their candidates succeeded."

Biden rebuffed public skepticism about the war effort, saying it is important that the US sustain its commitment long enough for the new leadership to exercise its plans.

Recent polls have shown that a majority of Americans believe that history will judge the Iraq war as a failure for the US.

"All this take about the inability to succeed is premature. Only now, this month, has Gen. [David] Petraeus had what the military told the president and me they need to succeed in their mission. We are only now beginning with the right general and the right number of forces." 

He concluded by affirming the government's commitment to support troops, veterans and military families in what he called the "longest period of su! stained combat" in American history.

"I know that our nation has but one truly sacred obligation … to prepare and equip those whom we send into harm's way and to care for them and their families when they come home," he said. "Our commitment ... is not negotiable. It is a sacred obligation."