Bush set to reveal Iraq strategy

WASHINGTON – Preparing to present a weary nation with a new war plan, President George W Bush faced Democrats determined to confront him over sending thousands more Americans to Iraq.

Fresh troops were to be in place within three weeks. For a little over 20 minutes yesterday night, Bush was to explain why a gradual buildup of about 20 000 additional US troops, along with other steps expected to include pumping $1 billion into Iraq’s economy, was the answer for a war that has only gotten deadlier with no end in sight.After nearly four years of fighting, $400 billion and thousands of American and Iraqi lives lost, the White House called the president’s prime-time address from the White House library just the start of a debate over Iraq’s many problems.”This is not, ‘Give one speech, dust your hands off and walk away,”‘ presidential spokesman Tony Snow said Tuesday.”This is the beginning of an important process for the American people and for the political community to think seriously about.”The address – one of the most pivotal of Bush’s presidency – is the centrepiece of an aggressive public relations campaign that also will include detailed briefings for lawmakers and reporters, trips abroad by Cabinet members and a series of appearances by Bush starting with a trip Thursday to Fort Benning, Georgia.Since Friday, Bush has briefed about 100 lawmakers – meetings that were to culminate Wednesday with Congress’ Democratic leadership and their Republican counterparts.Bush on Tuesday also talked with key foreign allies.He filled in the leaders of Britain, Australia and Denmark, with more calls planned.Crafting the new policy took the president nearly three months.Relevant agencies conducted reviews, outside experts were called in, and the president consulted several times with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other prominent Iraqi leaders.In the meantime, the sectarian violence in Iraq continued unabated, and public approval of Bush’s handling of the Iraq war hit a record low of 27 percent in December, according to an AP-Ipsos poll.Democrats, energised by their return to power in Congress in November elections widely viewed as an Iraq referendum, laid plans to challenge Bush’s strategy even before he revealed it.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledged to hold a vote on the troop increase.Many Democrats are likely to oppose an increase, as will Republicans.Nampa-APFor a little over 20 minutes yesterday night, Bush was to explain why a gradual buildup of about 20 000 additional US troops, along with other steps expected to include pumping $1 billion into Iraq’s economy, was the answer for a war that has only gotten deadlier with no end in sight.After nearly four years of fighting, $400 billion and thousands of American and Iraqi lives lost, the White House called the president’s prime-time address from the White House library just the start of a debate over Iraq’s many problems.”This is not, ‘Give one speech, dust your hands off and walk away,”‘ presidential spokesman Tony Snow said Tuesday.”This is the beginning of an important process for the American people and for the political community to think seriously about.”The address – one of the most pivotal of Bush’s presidency – is the centrepiece of an aggressive public relations campaign that also will include detailed briefings for lawmakers and reporters, trips abroad by Cabinet members and a series of appearances by Bush starting with a trip Thursday to Fort Benning, Georgia.Since Friday, Bush has briefed about 100 lawmakers – meetings that were to culminate Wednesday with Congress’ Democratic leadership and their Republican counterparts.Bush on Tuesday also talked with key foreign allies.He filled in the leaders of Britain, Australia and Denmark, with more calls planned.Crafting the new policy took the president nearly three months.Relevant agencies conducted reviews, outside experts were called in, and the president consulted several times with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other prominent Iraqi leaders.In the meantime, the sectarian violence in Iraq continued unabated, and public approval of Bush’s handling of the Iraq war hit a record low of 27 percent in December, according to an AP-Ipsos poll.Democrats, energised by their return to power in Congress in November elections widely viewed as an Iraq referendum, laid plans to challenge Bush’s strategy even before he revealed it.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledged to hold a vote on the troop increase.Many Democrats are likely to oppose an increase, as will Republicans.Nampa-AP