Petraeus Expresses Confidence In Buildup

In a move that is unusual for an active-duty officer, Petraeus also spoke against pending Senate resolutions disapproving of the new Bush administration strategy. Asked by Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) whether those resolutions would give encouragement to the enemy by exposing divisions among the American people, he replied: "That's correct."

His statement drew a sharp rebuke from Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), who said, "I very sincerely but wholeheartedly disagree," saying the point was to send a message to Iraqis.

Pressed later by other senators -- including committee Chairman Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.) and John W. Warner (R-Va.) -- Petraeus said he did not intend his statements to be taken as opposing or supporting any resolutions.

Levin, a leading critic of the administration's Iraq policy, also repeatedly urged Petraeus to hold the Iraqi government accountable on benchmarks it agreed to with President Bush. "We certainly will to the very best of our ability," Petraeus answered.

Levin then asked what leverage the United States had over the Iraqi government if it failed to perform to expectations, as it has in the past. "Providing assistance or withholding assistance in various forms," Petraeus replied, agreeing with Levin that the consequences should be "clear, real and significant."

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) asked if Petraeus had a "high degree of confidence" that the new plan would work.

"I believe this plan can succeed if in fact all of those enablers and all the rest of the assistance is provided," Petraeus said, adding that interagency help for the war effort "needs to be substantially more robust than it is."

On a personal note, Petraeus said he fully understood the daunting job he faces.

"Many of the e-mails I've received in recent weeks have had as their subject line 'Congratulations -- I think,' " he said. "I know how heavy a rucksack I will have to shoulder in Iraq if confirmed," he said. But he said he would accept the call to "soldier again with those who are part of the brotherhood of the close fight" and out of an obligation to help the Iraqi people.