Bush wants 20,00 more troops for Iraq

[Magnum]

By PETER ROPER

THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

President Bush wants to send an additional 20,000 U.S. troops to Iraq to support a renewed effort by the Iraqi government to get control of the sectarian violence there, Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard said Monday following a White House briefing.

Allard, a Republican, was one of several dozen senators who were briefed by Bush, as well as Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

The president is scheduled to announce a new policy direction in Iraq in a national speech Wednesday night, but was giving select lawmakers an early briefing Monday.

"What was most significant to me is the president said that along with the additional 20,000 U.S. troops, the Iraqi government will provide significantly more dollars and more men on the ground to take control of their country," Allard said.

Bush did not put any timetable on how long the additional U.S. troops would be in Iraq and did not describe the commitment as temporary, Allard said.

"He didn't mention any timetable but he said the Iraqi government will have some goals, some 'bright lines,' to accomplish as part of this process," he said.

Allard said the senators, mostly Republicans, listened to the briefing without much comment.

"What the president wants from Congress is support for sending the additional troops," he said. "He said this is a crucial time, that just when the Iraqis are taking on more responsibility, that we cannot afford to give the terrorists a victory by not funding this increase and I agree with that."

Asked if the briefing gave him any new information about the war, Allard said he was surprised that the Iraqi government officials said they could make a stronger effort to take over the job of fighting insurgents and providing security.

"I think they've been going along for the ride to some extent and they haven't made as strong a commitment to their future as we might expect," he said. "To some degree, the leadership has been a part of the problem as well."

One issue that has surfaced in Baghdad is that the Iraqi government has done little to stop the violence - kidnappings and killings - by Shiite militia under the leadership of firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

"The president told us he was blunt in talking to Iraqi officials, that murder is murder, no matter who commits it and that everyone needs to be treated the same," Allard said.

Story link

-------------------------------

think he'll get the troops? Or will Polosi give him the shaft? Magnum wants to know.

Edited January 9, 2007 by Guest