Gates: Iraq resolution 'emboldens' enemy

Another one gets his talking points!


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Jan 27, 3:51 AM EST

Gates: Iraq resolution 'emboldens' enemy

By ROBERT BURNS

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A congressional rebuke of President Bush's troop buildup in Iraq would undercut American commanders in a way that "emboldens the enemy," Defense Secretary Robert Gates says.

At his first Pentagon news conference since taking office Dec. 18, Gates was asked whether a congressional resolution criticizing Bush's plan would offer the insurgents new hope.

"It's pretty clear that a resolution that in effect says that the general going out to take command of the arena shouldn't have the resources he thinks he needs to be successful certainly emboldens the enemy and our adversaries," Gates said Friday.

"I think it's hard to measure that with any precision, but it seems pretty straightforward that any indication of flagging will in the United States gives encouragement to those folks," Gates said, referring to the anti-government forces in Baghdad. He added that he was certain this was not the intent of those who support the congressional resolution, "but that's the effect."

The Pentagon is studying whether it could accelerate the deployment of the five additional Army brigades that are to be dispatched to Baghdad by late May to bolster security in the capital, Gates said.

In remarks at the White House, Bush challenged lawmakers not to prematurely condemn his buildup. "I'm the decision maker" on troop levels, Bush said.

Vice President Dick Cheney said this week that the buildup would proceed as announced, even if the congressional resolution wins full Senate approval.