"Terrarists on the run", polishing up that legacy?

Bush declares progress in Iraq war

By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer 32 minutes ago


WASHINGTON - President Bush declared progress in the Iraq war Thursday, saying terrorists "are on the run" and a generally improved security environment should permit further U.S. troop reductions.

Standing on the Colonnade outside the Oval Office of the White House, Bush also announced that effective Thursday, the duration of troop tours in Iraq will be cut from 15 months to 12 months.

Bush said this reduction "will relieve the burden on our forces and it will make life easier for our wonderful military families."

The president's updated report on Iraq came with the war in its sixth year and violence on the ground substantially decreased in recent weeks and as the conflict remains a key issue in the presidential campaign. Republican nominee in waiting Sen. John McCain has repeatedly accused presumed Democratic standardbearer Barack Obama of planning a reckless withdrawal. Obama has countered that the United States never should have gone to war there in the first place.

Bush on Thursday said that commanding Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, however, "caution that the progress is still reversible, and they report that there now appears to be a degree of durability to the gains that we have made."

"We are now in our third consecutive month with reduced violence levels holding steady," Bush said.

Looking ahead to the next recommendation on troop levels from U.S. military leaders, Bush said he expects "further reductions in our combat forces, as conditions permit."

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