2008 Woodie Awards
Bush to discuss state of troops
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Nation
WASHINGTON - The top U.S. military commander in Iraq said yesterday that he is unlikely to call for another troop buildup in Iraq, even if security deteriorates after the extra American soldiers return home this summer.
Gen. David Petraeus told a House panel that such a move would be considered the last resort, in part because of the strain it would place on the Army. First, the military could try to reallocate existing troops to respond to any hotspots. It also would rely more on Iraqi forces, which are improving in capability, he said.
"That would be a pretty remote thought in my mind," he said of reinstating last year's influx of troops.
Petraeus has recommended to President Bush that the U.S. complete, by the end of July, the withdrawal of the 20,000 troops that were sent to Iraq last year to calm the violence there. Beyond that, the general proposed a 45-day evaluation period, to be followed by an indefinite period of assessment before he would recommend any further pullouts.
"We think it makes sense to have some time, to let the dust settle, perhaps to do some adjustment of forces, re-evaluation," he told the House Armed Services Committee.
Bush is to address the nation on his decision about troop levels in Iraq at 11:30 a.m. EDT today from the Cross Hall of the White House. Aides signaled - as the president has for weeks - that he would likely embrace Petraeus' recommendations. White House press secretary Dana Perino also said it is "within the realm of possibility" that Bush would discuss the length of soldiers' tours of duty in Iraq. She wouldn't be specific, citing the ongoing testimony and Bush's meeting yesterday afternoon with congressional leaders.
"I think the president has gotten a lot of advice," she said. "I think he's pretty far down the path of what he's going to say."
Gen. David Petraeus told a House panel that such a move would be considered the last resort, in part because of the strain it would place on the Army. First, the military could try to reallocate existing troops to respond to any hotspots. It also would rely more on Iraqi forces, which are improving in capability, he said.
"That would be a pretty remote thought in my mind," he said of reinstating last year's influx of troops.
Petraeus has recommended to President Bush that the U.S. complete, by the end of July, the withdrawal of the 20,000 troops that were sent to Iraq last year to calm the violence there. Beyond that, the general proposed a 45-day evaluation period, to be followed by an indefinite period of assessment before he would recommend any further pullouts.
"We think it makes sense to have some time, to let the dust settle, perhaps to do some adjustment of forces, re-evaluation," he told the House Armed Services Committee.
Bush is to address the nation on his decision about troop levels in Iraq at 11:30 a.m. EDT today from the Cross Hall of the White House. Aides signaled - as the president has for weeks - that he would likely embrace Petraeus' recommendations. White House press secretary Dana Perino also said it is "within the realm of possibility" that Bush would discuss the length of soldiers' tours of duty in Iraq. She wouldn't be specific, citing the ongoing testimony and Bush's meeting yesterday afternoon with congressional leaders.
"I think the president has gotten a lot of advice," she said. "I think he's pretty far down the path of what he's going to say."
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