U.S. General Predicts Extensive 'Local Control' In Iraq

21 September 2004 -- A senior general at the Pentagon has predicted that more than half of Iraqi localities will be generally managing their own security and government by the end of the year.

Lieutenant General Walter Sharp, the director of strategic plans and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made the prediction in a report yesterday.

He told reporters that more than 50 percent of Iraq -- in terms of land area as well as population -- will be under what the Pentagon calls "local control" by 1 January. He defined "local control" as a locality assuming management over its own security and government, with limited or no oversight from U.S. forces.

Sharp said areas of northern and southern Iraq are already under "local control."

(AFP/AP)