Text Only
Search

 
Bush Studying Options on Iraq Policy

09 December 2006

George W. Bush answers reporter's question during joint press conference with British PM Tony Blair, 7 Dec. 2006
George W. Bush answers reporter's question during joint press conference with British PM Tony Blair, 7 Dec. 2006

President Bush says he will seriously consider all recommendations made by the Iraq Study Group in the report it issued this week.

Mr. Bush said in his weekly radio address Saturday that he also is anticipating reports on Iraq from the State Department, the Pentagon and the National Security Council.

The White House says Mr. Bush will discuss Iraq with congressional leaders, military commanders and independent experts next week, as part of the administration's aim to present a revised plan on Iraq before the end of the year.

The incoming chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Democratic Congressman Silvestre Reyes, said in the Democratic radio address today that the United States must change the focus of the mission in Iraq from combat to training. He said the U.S. must demand more results from the Iraqi government.

This past week, the president discussed Iraq in White House meetings with Iraqi Shi'ite leader Abdul Aziz al Hakim and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The Washington Post reports Saturday that the Bush administration is discussing three main options to redefine the U.S. mission in Iraq.

The newspaper says one alternative calls for deploying between 15,000 and 30,000 additional U.S. troops to secure Baghdad and accelerate the training of Iraqi forces. The second option would refocus the U.S. mission away from dealing with the sectarian violence to hunting terrorists. And the third calls for increasing political support for the majority Shi'ite population and abandoning efforts to reach out to Sunni insurgents.

The Post says there is a growing consensus among administration officials to shift responsibility for Iraq's problems to the Iraqis.

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
Turkey Arrests 10 People Linked to Al-Qaida
Seven Killed, 36 Wounded In Iraq Car Bomb Attack
UN Chief: Iraq Conflict Could Lead to Regional War
 
  Top Story
UN Security Council Adopts Gaza Cease-fire Resolution

  More Stories
US Studies Withdrawing More Troops from Iraq  Audio Clip Available
UN Agency Suspends Aid Deliveries in Gaza Because of Violence  Audio Clip Available
Obama Warns of Severe Consequences Without Stimulus Package  Audio Clip Available
Russia Agrees to Gas Pipeline Monitors
Suicide Bomber Attacks Foreign Troops, Kills Civilians in Afghanistan
Recession Woes Again Batter World Markets  Audio Clip Available
Sri Lankan Military Presses Ahead with Offensive  Audio Clip Available
Diplomatic Activity Builds to Halt Eastern Congo Clashes  Audio Clip Available
Lawyers Want Charges Dropped Against Zimbabwe Activists  Audio Clip Available
Obama's Choice to Head US Health Agency Vows Reform  Audio Clip Available
Diplomat Cites Bush Efforts to Strengthen Sino-American Ties  Audio Clip Available
Africans Await Obama Inauguration with Mixed Expectations  Audio Clip Available
Two Chinese Cities Offer Incentives to Attract Overseas Professionals  Audio Clip Available
Immigrant Filmmaker Travels Rocky Road in Hollywood  Audio Clip Available