Bush: no decision on Iraq troop levels

Source: AP

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Facing another decision about U.S. troop levels in Iraq by spring, President Bush said Saturday it's "fine with me" if generals recommend no more reductions than those already planned to take the force posture down to about 130,000.

Traveling for the next few days among Sunni Arab-ruled states jittery about the rising influence and ambitions of Shiite-majority Iran, Bush used part of remarks here that were focused on Iraq to put Tehran on notice — again.

"Iran's role in fomenting violence has been exposed," he said as he listed successes the U.S. is helping to bring about in Iraq. "Iranian agents are in our custody, and we are learning more about how Iran has supported extremist groups with training and lethal aid."

After spending a day in Kuwait meeting with its leaders and addressing U.S. troops based here, Bush was welcomed as the first sitting U.S. president to visit Bahrain, an oil-refining and banking island in the Persian Gulf that is host to the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080112/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_mideast

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...until they have a better idea of who is getting the Democratic nomination.

I don't foresee extra troop reductions. At least if decisions are made on a military basis.

Source: MSNBC News Service

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - President Bush said on Saturday that America's change of strategy in Iraq had sharply reduced violence and the United States was on track to complete the withdrawal of 20,000 troops by mid-year.

After talks at a base in the Kuwaiti desert with his military commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, Bush said security gains in Iraq "are allowing some U.S. forces to return home."

"Any additional reductions will be based on the recommendations of General Petraeus," he said. "Conditions on the ground will be those that guide his recommendations. I need to know his considered judgment to make sure that the security gains ... remain in place."

Bush said the new strategy, which involved a "surge" in troop numbers and a focus on counter-insurgency warfare, had dealt "heavy blows" to the al Qaeda network in Iraq. "Iraq is now a different place," he said. "Levels of violence are significantly reduced. Hope is returning to Baghdad."


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22620189/

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After over a trillion dollars spent and almost 5 years of war/occupation, one would expect more than restored hope.

Is it possible that Dubyah isn't aware that Bob Hope died in 2003 and was thinking that the entertainer might entertain troops in Baghdad?

A lot.

er-Creating it in the NeoCon image thru Disaster Capitalism.

Shock Doctrine is a serious study, not a pulp political gag book.. it is 556 pages that includes 92 pages of 'foot notes and index', it is the book of the century, exposing the NeoCon's maniacal Plan of world domination.

:puke::puke:

change in US gov.

The only time that bastard isn't lying is when his mouth is shut. He makes me sick. :puke:

Where's my countdown clock?

On edit: found it. One year, nine days.

Everyone is DEAD!

Remember folks this is the same political part who's idol taught us that a full scale nuclear war is winnable!:wtf:

No other country understands it.

Last Tuesday's primary results show that Democratic women are about to power someone who voted for this war into the presidency.

To my fellow Democrats: our occupation will be a permanent one now, get used to it. This is no longer the sole provice of the AWOL chimp, this is a bipartisan effort that will be controlled by Hillary Clinton for the next eight years. Crabbing about it will only embarass our leader.

To the mothers of Iraq: this is a "gift" from Democratic women voters to you. Cherish it. Relish it. Send a thank you card. The opportunity for ending this debacle has passed, and we are going to be your friends and overseers for the foreseeable future.

I will no longer be posting on Iraq threads. It is pointless, and can only hurt our eventual nominee's chances.

for the true sentiment. However, I do agree with you that Clinton has no intention of pulling out of Iraq. Her vote on the Kyel/Lieberman amendment said so much.

Some things to keep in mind, months ago we were told Hillary would take Iowa and NH without any problem. She lost Iowa, and NH was not the resonding victory the MSM is trying to paint.

Even on the republican side, the candidates that were suppossed to win didn't. It should be noted that Ron Paul has been getting more donations than the mainstream repukes running

There is a long way to go before the convention, and the biggest factor that the so-called experts haven't factored in is the people

Economic effects from our reckless war our now being felt in high energy and food prices. Deregulation was responsible for housing crisis, and it is now permeating into other areas

As stupid as Americans are, they are starting to experience the effects of the policies of the last 16 years. Yes, that includes Bill Clinton also, who help accelerate the process of deregulation started by reagan and the republicans.

This election might even go to the Convention undecided for both parties. There is a lot of anger in this country at both parties. The republicans for their reckless and immoral wars, and corporate favortism, and the Democrats for not doing their job of oversight, but rubber stamping most everything that came before them

This is going to be a very interesting election, because the politicians are losing control of the situation

They just cannot say what it is we have become in either diplomatic circles OR polite company.

and commit horrendous crimes would be long gone, maybe some day we will learn, but we will learn the hard way. We have not learned that our government should be afraid of the people not the other way around.

"I actually meant to say, "A dope is returning to Baghdad. Smirk." - Commander AWOL

Have you ever heard of the Pottery Barn rule? Guess not.

That man is just sick. A walking disease. Forever in history the family name of Bush will be equated with corruption, crime, failure and stupidity. My apologies to those Bushes who have nothing to do with him. But this is a soul that ruins everything it comes in contact with.

The MSM in the U.S. reports even LESS about Iraq today.

There have been over 28000 Americans wounded in that war, and that dirty little secret Americans are quite happy not knowing about

In fact the amount of death and destruction that has been done in OUR NAME, Americans are quite content not being made aware of

Same old B.S. things are doing well, yet there is no talk of leaving, and Congress doesn't seem to care to pursue it either

If it were up to me, I'd lock his ass up and throw away the key. Better yet, send him to Iraq and let the Iraqis decide his fate.

lots and lots of bombs.

Yeah, that's what you need to instill hope. Bombs. :sarcasm:

-guarantees do not apply when in the presence of insurgent attacks-

Thanks for playing!

:shrug:

We will be told how if the Democrats had their way the troop withdrawl would have led to the failure of the Iraqi gubmint and that would lead to terra camps and attacks on the U.S. ... Democrats to be painted on the wrong side of history except of course Mr. Liberal Liberman.

couple Reich Wing Supreme Court Judges slip and fall in the shower..

Iraqis sure "Hope" this war criminal and his handlers (darth chenious & co.) don't start WWIII by bombing Iran illegally because they will be at the receiving end of Iran's thousands of missiles they will launch at all western troops in the region in legitimate defense...

But hey! The AWOL war criminal doesn't give a fork about their real "Hope." :puke:

Except for the skiing part, I can see a biathlon competition.

Bob Hope, Hope Lange . . .

Bush destroyed their country.
Here in Der Homeland, however, there's not much hope happening.:grr: