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New US Iraq policy faces scrutiny 'No timetable' for Iraq progress
(about 1 hour later)
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates is appearing before a key Senate committee amid growing criticism of President Bush's move to increase troops in Iraq. The US defence secretary has said there is no timetable for Iraq to prove it has fulfilled commitments required by the US in President Bush's new plan.
Along with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Peter Pace, Mr Gates is expected to face tough questioning on the planned troop deployment. But Robert Gates said the US would have a "good idea" of the Iraqi government's success before many new troops went in.
He also told a Senate hearing there should be no announcement of a troop pullout as, in his words, the enemy would then just wait the time out.
The hearing comes as criticism grows of Mr Bush's move to boost troops in Iraq.
Mr Bush plans to send at least 20,000 more troops, saying it will help bring security to Baghdad's streets.Mr Bush plans to send at least 20,000 more troops, saying it will help bring security to Baghdad's streets.
But Democrats and some Republicans have spoken out strongly against the move.But Democrats and some Republicans have spoken out strongly against the move.
Mr Bush and his top officials have been working to convince sceptical lawmakers of the merits of the new strategy.Mr Bush and his top officials have been working to convince sceptical lawmakers of the merits of the new strategy.
'Sound plan''Sound plan'
Mr Gates, who on Thursday appeared before the House Armed Services Committee, is now facing the Senate Armed Services Committee. Mr Gates, who on Thursday appeared before the House Armed Services Committee, is facing the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The new strategy is not going to yield immediate results... over time, we can expect to see positive results President George W Bush Can new way forward work? UK 'faces big decision' Press savages Bush planThe new strategy is not going to yield immediate results... over time, we can expect to see positive results President George W Bush Can new way forward work? UK 'faces big decision' Press savages Bush plan
In his opening statements, he acknowledged widespread concern over the strategy.In his opening statements, he acknowledged widespread concern over the strategy.
But he emphasised that US military commanders on the ground in Iraq backed the president's plan.But he emphasised that US military commanders on the ground in Iraq backed the president's plan.
"They believe it is a sound plan that can work - if the Iraqi government follows through on its commitments," he said."They believe it is a sound plan that can work - if the Iraqi government follows through on its commitments," he said.
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says that Mr Gates and Gen Pace will be pressed hard on the wisdom of sending extra troops to Baghdad.
Gen Pace is likely to be asked why he appears to have changed his mind about a policy he did not back in the past, our correspondent says.
'Positive results''Positive results'
Mr Bush made his announcement of a "surge" force of troops in a televised speech on Wednesday.Mr Bush made his announcement of a "surge" force of troops in a televised speech on Wednesday.
I think this speech given last night by this president represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam if it's carried out Chuck HagelRepublican senator Bush speech at a glance Reaction to Bush speechI think this speech given last night by this president represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam if it's carried out Chuck HagelRepublican senator Bush speech at a glance Reaction to Bush speech
He said the new troops would help secure neighbourhoods in the capital from insurgents, and that this time troop levels would be sufficient to hold areas that had been cleared.He said the new troops would help secure neighbourhoods in the capital from insurgents, and that this time troop levels would be sufficient to hold areas that had been cleared.
On Thursday, he said the plan was "our best chance for success", but he warned that it could take a while to see progress.On Thursday, he said the plan was "our best chance for success", but he warned that it could take a while to see progress.
"Over time, we can expect to see positive results," he said."Over time, we can expect to see positive results," he said.
Alongside criticism from Democrats - who now control both houses of Congress - several Republicans have publicly expressed their disappointment with the move, which runs counter to recommendations by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group.Alongside criticism from Democrats - who now control both houses of Congress - several Republicans have publicly expressed their disappointment with the move, which runs counter to recommendations by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group.
Republican Senator Chuck Hagel said Mr Bush had made a mistake. Republican Senator Chuck Hagel described it as "the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam".
"I think this speech given last night by this president represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam if it's carried out," he said.
The Democrats have promised a non-binding vote in both houses of Congress on the strategy.The Democrats have promised a non-binding vote in both houses of Congress on the strategy.