Peace in Iraq within two years
TWO YEARS FOR IRAQ PEACE
Two years will be "more than enough" to establish security in Iraq, the country's Prime Minister Ibrahim al Jaafari has said.
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has suggested it could take up to 12 years to end the insurgency.
But after talks in Downing Street with Tony Blair, the Iraqi PM said it could come much sooner.
The timing would depend on various factors including cooperation from countries neighbouring Iraq, he said.
However, he added: "I think two years will be enough, and more than enough, to establish security in our country."
His comments come on the day a US Apache ground attack helicopter crashed in Iraq.
One witness claimed he had seen a missile hit the craft, and others said heavy gunfire had also been heard in the area shortly before the crash.
The incident happened near Taji, about 20 miles northwest of Baghdad. The fate of the two crew members is not known.
Insurgents have shot down US and other aircraft in the past with shoulder-fired missiles or small arms.
In one of the worst incidents, two US Black Hawk helicopters collided under fire in Mosul in November 2003, killing 17 soldiers.
Two years will be "more than enough" to establish security in Iraq, the country's Prime Minister Ibrahim al Jaafari has said.
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has suggested it could take up to 12 years to end the insurgency.
But after talks in Downing Street with Tony Blair, the Iraqi PM said it could come much sooner.
The timing would depend on various factors including cooperation from countries neighbouring Iraq, he said.
However, he added: "I think two years will be enough, and more than enough, to establish security in our country."
His comments come on the day a US Apache ground attack helicopter crashed in Iraq.
One witness claimed he had seen a missile hit the craft, and others said heavy gunfire had also been heard in the area shortly before the crash.
The incident happened near Taji, about 20 miles northwest of Baghdad. The fate of the two crew members is not known.
Insurgents have shot down US and other aircraft in the past with shoulder-fired missiles or small arms.
In one of the worst incidents, two US Black Hawk helicopters collided under fire in Mosul in November 2003, killing 17 soldiers.

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