"But we must do so with respect for the Iraqi constitution and laws, and
we must continue to treat all Iraqi citizens with the utmost dignity and
honor," Odierno said.
Officials said the U.S. military has already been implementing parts of
SOFA, which called for the redeployment of forces by July 2009. They said
American soldiers have already been moved out of many Iraqi cities.
"We'll implement the transition, we'll work with the Iraqis and develop
a plan for the way ahead and how we're going to conduct this," Lt. Gen.
Lloyd Austin, the deputy U.S. military commander, said. "There will be some
change in how we're doing business. But I think we'll be able to adapt
fairly easily."
Austin said Iraqi and U.S. officers were working to improve intelligence
on insurgency groups. He said the two sides were also planning operations
meant to maximize the effectiveness of the Iraqi security forces.
"I think we've made tremendous strides over the last 10 months that I've
been here in terms of partnering with them and developing techniques, I
think, that work well on the battlefield and throughout the country," Austin
said.
