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Bush to unveil new Iraq strategy document
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-30 20:36
President Bush confronted doubts about his war policy Wednesday, asserting
that more Iraqi security forces are taking the lead in battle but saying it's
still uncertain when U.S. forces can be withdrawn.
President Bush speaks at the Brown Palace
Hotel in Denver, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005, during a $1,000 a plate
fund-raiser for Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo.
[AP] |
"No war has ever been won on a timetable," according to a new White House
strategy document.
Facing criticism and impatience about the conflict, Bush went on the
offensive with the release of a 35-page plan titled "Our National Strategy for
Victory in Iraq."
The plan says increasing numbers of Iraqi troops have been equipped and
trained, a democratic government is being forged, Iraq's economy is being
rebuilt and U.S. military and civilian presence will change as conditions
improve.
"We expect, but cannot guarantee that our force posture will change over the
next year, as the political process advances and Iraqi security forces grow and
gain experience," the report said. "While our military presence may become less
visible, it will remain lethal and decisive, able to confront the enemy wherever
it may organize."
Along with the report, Bush is making a personal appeal to shore up wavering
support for the war in remarks Wednesday at the U.S. Naval Academy. It's the
first in a series of speeches Bush is delivering between now and the Dec. 15
election in Iraq to outline political, security and economic strategies for
Iraq.
In the first one, Bush will focus on the training of Iraqi security forces,
explaining setbacks U.S. forces have encountered and improvements that have been
made, as well as detailing areas now under Iraqi control, a senior White House
official said, insisting on anonymity because the president's address has not
been released.
Bush's emphasis on the readiness of Iraqi security forces comes at a time
when continued violence in Iraq and the death of more than 2,000 U.S. troops
have contributed to a sharp drop in Bush's popularity.
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