Advisers Tell Bush To Stand Pat On Iraq
Advisers Tell Bush to Stand Pat on Iraq
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070904/D8RET89G0.html
By MATTHEW LEE and ANNE GEARAN
Sep 4, 5:52 PM (ET)
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush's senior advisers on Iraq have recommended he stand by his current war strategy, and he is unlikely to order more than a symbolic cut in troops before the end of the year, administration officials told The Associated Press Tuesday.
The recommendations from the military commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker come despite independent government findings Tuesday that Baghdad has not met most of the political, military and economic markers set by Congress.
Bush appears set on maintaining the central elements of the policy he announced in January, one senior administration official said after discussions with participants in Bush's briefings during his surprise visit to an air base in Iraq on Monday.
Although the addition of 30,000 troops and the focus on increasing security in Baghdad would not be permanent, Bush is inclined to give it more time in hopes of extending military gains in Baghdad and the formerly restive Anbar province, officials said.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to describe decisions coming as part of the White House report on Iraq due to Congress next week.
