NELSON STATEMENT ON GENERAL PETRAEUS NOMINATION

April 23, 2008 - Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson released the following statement on the nomination of General Petraeus to Central Command Commander:

"I don't think anyone is surprised about the announcement that General Petraeus will be nominated as the next Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander. He has the full backing of the White House for his performance as our commander in Iraq.

"It is a logical nomination. General Petraeus' experience will serve him well as he takes on the broader responsibility for the entire CENTCOM region. It will be important that Gen. Petraeus keep CENTCOM focused on all the threats and missions in the region, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and matters in Africa.

"General Petraeus performed admirably in a near impossible situation. Our troops performed brilliantly and achieved the missions asked of them. The Iraqis failed to coalesce around their own leaders to take advantage of the opportunity to achieve the political reconciliation granted to them by the effort and sacrifices of our soldiers.

"I have confidence in General Odierno’s abilities having met with him on several occasions in Iraq and here in Washington, as recently April 2. I wish him luck in leading our efforts on the ground in Iraq."

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	Press Release	April 23, 2008
NELSON STATEMENT ON GENERAL PETRAEUS NOMINATION April 23, 2008 - Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson released the following statement on the nomination of General Petraeus to Central Command Commander: "I don't think anyone is surprised about the announcement that General Petraeus will be nominated as the next Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander. He has the full backing of the White House for his performance as our commander in Iraq. "It is a logical nomination. General Petraeus' experience will serve him well as he takes on the broader responsibility for the entire CENTCOM region. It will be important that Gen. Petraeus keep CENTCOM focused on all the threats and missions in the region, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and matters in Africa. "General Petraeus performed admirably in a near impossible situation. Our troops performed brilliantly and achieved the missions asked of them. The Iraqis failed to coalesce around their own leaders to take advantage of the opportunity to achieve the political reconciliation granted to them by the effort and sacrifices of our soldiers. "I have confidence in General Odierno’s abilities having met with him on several occasions in Iraq and here in Washington, as recently April 2. I wish him luck in leading our efforts on the ground in Iraq." ###