You have in your manual 'Long-term success depends on the people taking charge of their own affairs, consenting to the government's rule.'

So, who decided to spend money on drapes, carpet, and ceiling tiles while ignoring the basic problems of Building 18?

This wasn't necessarily an issue of lack of oversight, it was an issue of misplaced priorities.

I have come to the conclusion that the appalling conditions in Building 18 were the result of a failure in leadership to respond to and correct identified deficiencies.

Congress provides O&M funds to the military Services with the understanding that these funds will be applied wisely by military leaders to address the most urgent requirements.

It is an honor to introduce John Young to the committee today.

We think we can do somewhat better over the next 10 years and substantially better over the next 20.

I for one have concluded that a greater sense of urgency is in order here on their part or it's just not going to work.

A group of us just returned from Turkey last week and they're very concerned about attacks emanating from the Kurdish parts of northern Iraq.

We cannot let al Qaeda define how most intelligently to pursue our national security interests.

I think it's important for the American people to get as clear an understanding about the state of affairs in Iraq and Afghanistan as we possibly can.

I share my colleagues' concern that a good man has been put in a very difficult spot.

Ultimately we're going to have to conclude, are they capable of doing this?

I would encourage you to look at that, because if the Turks for domestic political reasons feel that they're forced to take more overt action that could have consequences.

I think many Americans are deeply concerned about asking our brave soldiers, who I know you care deeply about, to sacrifice themselves while a group of Iraqi political leaders get their act together.

You have to be candid and aggressive in telling us what you need.

Their overall consensus was that the trend in Iraq is negative.

I would encourage you to retain a healthy level of skepticism about that.