WASHINGTON – Acknowledging deepening frustration over Iraq, President Bush said Wednesday he is considering an increase in American forces and warned that next year will bring more painful U.S. losses. New Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in Baghdad that a troop surge was an obvious option.
Bush was unusually candid at a year-end news conference about U.S. setbacks and dashed hopes in the war, which has claimed the lives of more than 2,950 U.S. military members.
Bush said: “2006 was a difficult year for our troops and the Iraqi people. We began the year with optimism.” He said optimism faded as extremists fomented sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites.
“And over the course of the year they had success,” the president said. “Their success hurt our efforts to help the Iraqis rebuild their country, it set back reconciliation, it kept Iraq’s unity government and our coalition from establishing security and stability throughout the country.”
Bush was unwavering about U.S. goals for Iraq.
“Victory in Iraq is achievable,” he said. “It hadn’t happened nearly as quickly as I hoped it would have. …
“But I also don’t believe most Americans want us just to get out now,” Bush said. “A lot of Americans understand the consequences of defeat. Retreat would embolden radicals. It would hurt the credibility of the United States.”
On just his third day as defense secretary, Gates made an unannounced visit to Baghdad to review options with senior American commanders. He said no decisions have been made.
“We discussed the obvious things,” Gates said. “We discussed the possibility of a surge and the potential for what it might accomplish.”
Gates said he was only beginning to determine how to reshape U.S. war policy. He also said he would confer with top Iraqi officials about what America’s role should be in Iraq. Bush is awaiting Gates’ recommendations before making a speech in January announcing changes in strategy and tactics.
The shift in policy is likely to be accompanied by a shuffle of top American generals in Iraq. Army Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, has submitted plans to go ahead with a retirement that is months overdue. And the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. George Casey, has indicated he may not stay much longer than the end of this year.
Abizaid and Casey have opposed sending more troops to Iraq, and their departures could make it easier for Bush to send more soldiers to the war. One option calls for sending five or more additional combat brigades – roughly 20,000 or more troops.
Associated Press
President Bush speaks during a news conference Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
