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Bush 'to announce Iraq troop cut' Bush 'to announce Iraq troop cut'
(1 day later)
President George W Bush will this week announce he plans to reduce US troops in Iraq by about 30,000 by next summer, White House officials say.President George W Bush will this week announce he plans to reduce US troops in Iraq by about 30,000 by next summer, White House officials say.
They say the cuts, with conditions attached, will be announced by the president in a major TV address.They say the cuts, with conditions attached, will be announced by the president in a major TV address.
The move would bring the number of US troops in Iraq to "pre-surge" levels.The move would bring the number of US troops in Iraq to "pre-surge" levels.
The US top military commander in Iraq and the US envoy in Baghdad have told Congress that the surge, launched in February, is working.The US top military commander in Iraq and the US envoy in Baghdad have told Congress that the surge, launched in February, is working.
President Bush will make the speech on Thursday night at 2100 local time (0100GMT on Friday).President Bush will make the speech on Thursday night at 2100 local time (0100GMT on Friday).
It sounds to me as if Gen Petraeus is presenting a plan for at least a 10-year, high-level US presence in Iraq Nancy Pelosi (D) House of Representatives Speaker Key quotes: Second day It sounds to me as if Gen Petraeus is presenting a plan for at least a 10-year, high-level US presence in Iraq Nancy Pelosi (D) House of Representatives Speaker Key quotes: Second day class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6991003.stm">Mid-East media on findings
The White House says it will contain an endorsement of the troop reduction proposed by Gen David Petraeus, who has been testifying in Congress on Monday and Tuesday.The White House says it will contain an endorsement of the troop reduction proposed by Gen David Petraeus, who has been testifying in Congress on Monday and Tuesday.
However, Mr Bush is expected to condition his plans - and also further troop cuts - on continued progress in Iraq.However, Mr Bush is expected to condition his plans - and also further troop cuts - on continued progress in Iraq.
The BBC's Justin Webb, in Washington, says the president's move is an attempt to seize the initiative and to give the impression - whether true or not - that he is driving events.The BBC's Justin Webb, in Washington, says the president's move is an attempt to seize the initiative and to give the impression - whether true or not - that he is driving events.
Surge hearingsSurge hearings
Gen Petraeus - and also US envoy in Iraq Ryan Crocker - faced severe criticism during the two days of their testimony in Congress from lawmakers opposed to the war.Gen Petraeus - and also US envoy in Iraq Ryan Crocker - faced severe criticism during the two days of their testimony in Congress from lawmakers opposed to the war.
PETRAEUS - KEY POINTS Sectarian violence declined since surge started30,000 US troops likely withdrawn by mid-2008Decision on further troop cuts expected in March Situation in Iraq remains difficult Key quotes from hearing General Petraeus: Report to Congress [64 KB] General Petraeus: Report charts [64 KB] Ambassador Crocker: Report to Congress [64 KB] Most computers will open these documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here PETRAEUS - KEY POINTS Sectarian violence declined since surge started30,000 US troops likely withdrawn by mid-2008Decision on further troop cuts expected in March Situation in Iraq remains difficult Key quotes from hearing General Petraeus: Report to Congress [64 KB] General Petraeus: Report charts [1 MB] Ambassador Crocker: Report to Congress [50 KB] Most computers will open these documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
Sen Joseph Biden (D) - who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee - said on Tuesday that the surge had failed to promote reconciliation between Sunnis and Shia, and was at best "a stopgap that will not prevent chaos".Sen Joseph Biden (D) - who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee - said on Tuesday that the surge had failed to promote reconciliation between Sunnis and Shia, and was at best "a stopgap that will not prevent chaos".
House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) said: "It sounds to me as if Gen Petraeus is presenting a plan for at least a 10-year, high-level US presence in Iraq."House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) said: "It sounds to me as if Gen Petraeus is presenting a plan for at least a 10-year, high-level US presence in Iraq."
Gen Petraeus said that violence in Iraq had declined significantly since February, but stressed that a premature troop reduction would have "devastating consequences".Gen Petraeus said that violence in Iraq had declined significantly since February, but stressed that a premature troop reduction would have "devastating consequences".
A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.