On Monday's CBS Evening News, correspondent Lara Logan relayed to viewers concerns that U.S. troops may be pulling back too quickly for the sake of security in some parts of Iraq. As Logan filed a report about the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Mosul, as part of the security arrangement supported by the Iraqi government, the CBS News correspondent reported that some Iraqi military officers would have preferred U.S. troops stay a while longer to help in the fight against al-Qaeda.
After quoting Iraqi civilians who voiced their beliefs that things would improve after American troops left, Logan continued: "But this city is also where the main fight against al-Qaeda and their allies is still being fought. And off camera, several senior Iraqi officers told us they would have liked to have U.S. soldiers on the city streets with them for another six months."
Below is a complete transcript of the story from the Monday, June 29, CBS Evening News:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓KATIE COURIC: A big milestone today for U.S. forces in Iraq. They completed their pullout from major cities there. Tomorrow is a national holiday, and in Baghdad, the party started early. Thousands turned out for a concert by Iraqi musicians who have returned from exile. But amidst the celebration, there`s also concern. Outside Mosul, a car bomb today killed 10 people. And, in fact, throughout Iraq, more than 250 have been killed in attacks in the past week as insurgents try to undermine the government. Our chief foreign affairs correspondent Lara Logan went on one of the final patrols by U.S. troops in Mosul.
LARA LOGAN: U.S. troops have been battling al-Qaeda on the streets of Mosul for years, the fight for control of Iraq`s third largest city documented by U.S. soldiers and by insurgents. Under pressure in Baghdad last year, al-Qaeda moved north, making Mosul the most dangerous city in Iraq. But from tomorrow on, U.S. combat troops have to be out of Mosul and every other Iraqi town and city, part of a security agreement with the Iraqi government.
COLONEL GARY VOLESKY, FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION: If we`ve coordinated for a patrol, the Iraqis have said we`d like you to accompany us, and the Iraqi security force escorts don`t show up, we don`t go.
LOGAN: That means Colonel Volesky`s men will no longer be able to gather this kind of intelligence unless they`re invited by the Iraqis. Here, they`re scanning a prisoner`s iris and will add his information to a U.S. database of suspects, a vital tool in disrupting al-Qaeda. Is this area much more secure now than when you got here?
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS BRIAN SCHEMBERA, U.S. ARMY: Yes.
LOGAN: But al-Qaeda is not defeated?
SCHEMBERA: No.
LOGAN: They haven`t gone away.
SCHEMBERA: No. Will they ever?
LOGAN: On some of their last patrols in the city before the June 30th deadline, the soldiers heard from Iraqi civilians. "We expect things will get better when the Americans pull back," this man said. "We want our army here," another added. It`s clear from speaking to people here that they`ve had enough of being occupied, and they`re eager to see control of their country back in Iraqi hands. But this city is also where the main fight against al-Qaeda and their allies is still being fought. And off camera, several senior Iraqi officers told us they would have liked to have U.S. soldiers on the city streets with them for another six months. Do you think al-Qaeda will keep attacking Iraq now?
MAJOR SATAR IBRAHIM, THIRD IRAQI ARMY DIVISION: Yes. Attack Iraqi army, Iraqi government, civilian Iraqi.
LOGAN: Iraqi forces can still call on U.S. troops for help, but they`re under tremendous political pressure to show they can secure this country`s cities on their own. Lara Logan, CBS News, Mosul.
—Brad Wilmouth is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.



















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"withdrawing too soon"?
June 30, 2009 - 14:29 ET by SickofLibsIn Logan-speak, that would be Warrus Interruptus?
Surprised Lara Logan didn't blame Bush..
June 30, 2009 - 14:38 ET by Gary HallI'm rather surprised that Lara Logan didn't blame Bush.. after all, the deal was negociated by his administration last year.
If it goes poorly, they're going to be looking for a way to protect Obama and to blame Bush. If it goes well.. well, guess who will get the credit.
Did Obama, in his canned praise for the effort and sacrifices of our troops in bringing the opportunity of peace and democracy to the people of Iraq today, happen to give the Bush administration any credit for ending the 2 decades long regime of Saddam Hussein? The regime which took the lives of probably more than 2 million people (prior to President Bush's effort).
Gary... I'm also
June 30, 2009 - 14:44 ET by bigtimerGary...
I'm also surprised good ol' Lara didn't blame Bush...so far...tomorrow is another day.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
bt..
June 30, 2009 - 15:03 ET by Gary Hall.. yea. I hope I didn't plant the seed. gary
Obama said he would
June 30, 2009 - 15:01 ET by mattmObama said he would withdraw. He lied - people died.
We live in a babama republic, governed by thugs, cheats, liars and thieves. These people accused their prdecessors of these things, but the proof is in the pudding: the crooks in this sorry excuse for a government reside almost exclusively on the Left.
Watch and learn dear
June 30, 2009 - 15:13 ET by Ruths husband BenWatch and learn dear children as the Great and Mighty O, the Lightworker of the Ages, the Almighty Redistributor (no that is not part of your car) snatches defeat from the jaws of victory. Is he not astounding and truly the One? Is not even His Teleprompter a glory to behold? Those aren't ears, sons and daughters of America, they are budding halos!
"Who are you going to believe, me or all that lying data?!"
-Al Gore
these Warriors who patrolled the streets and alleys of Iraq=
July 1, 2009 - 08:45 ET by JIMMY1660have done their job-bring them home-never to go anywhere ever again. Why?We never let then finish the job. From WWII, Bay of Pigs-Vietnam and now the middle East.
lets dis band the military. why have them around. Hands up, give up.
BHO- THE PROGRESSIVE PIRATE
Did Logan get more"hands on"?
July 1, 2009 - 20:45 ET by Radar_OneI was wondering if Lara Logan was all hands on in Iraq this time like she was last time she was there....you know having an affair with a married military contractor and having his child.
Oh yea lets not forget the pilfering of the "war trophies" she has in her office at CBS...
If a soldier did what she's done, they would be villified by ALL Lefties.
Barack Obama= Half Honkey...ALL Donkey