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Bush pledges Iraq troop reduction Bush pledges Iraq troop reduction
(20 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has made a televised address backing a limited withdrawal of troops from Iraq.US President George W Bush has made a televised address backing a limited withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
The gradual pull-out would take numbers back to their level before Mr Bush ordered a build-up this year. Critics have said more should be withdrawn. Mr Bush said 5,700 personnel would be back by Christmas, and expected thousands more to return by July 2008.
Mr Bush largely followed the advice of US commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, who gave a progress report to Congress earlier this week. He said he had accepted the advice of US commander in Iraq, Gen David Petraeus, who gave a progress report to Congress earlier this week.
It follows the news that a key Sunni ally of the US has been killed in Iraq. The plan would take troop numbers back to their level before Mr Bush ordered a "surge" at the start of this year.
The Democrats called for a change of course, accusing the president of giving no plan on how to end the war.
Mr Bush's speech followed the news that a key Sunni ally of the US had been killed in Iraq.
'Never too late''Never too late'
In his primetime televised address, Mr Bush announced plans to reduce US troops by roughly 30,000 by next summer, if certain conditions are met. In his primetime televised address, Mr Bush announced plans to reduce US troops by roughly 30,000 by next summer, if certain conditions were met.
"The more successful we are, the more American troops can return home," he said."The more successful we are, the more American troops can return home," he said.
PETRAEUS - KEY POINTS Sectarian violence declined since surge started30,000 US troops likely withdrawn by mid-2008Decision on further troop cuts expected in March Situation in Iraq remains difficult Key quotes from hearing General Petraeus: Report to Congress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Download the reader herePETRAEUS - KEY POINTS Sectarian violence declined since surge started30,000 US troops likely withdrawn by mid-2008Decision on further troop cuts expected in March Situation in Iraq remains difficult Key quotes from hearing General Petraeus: Report to Congress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
He argued that the gradual pull-out plan bridges the gap between the people who want to bring troops home, and those who believe success in Iraq is essential to US security.He argued that the gradual pull-out plan bridges the gap between the people who want to bring troops home, and those who believe success in Iraq is essential to US security.
"[The strategy] makes it possible, for the first time in years, for people who have been on opposite sides of this difficult debate to come together.""[The strategy] makes it possible, for the first time in years, for people who have been on opposite sides of this difficult debate to come together."
Addressing the critics of the war, he said: "It is never too late to deal a blow to al-Qaeda. It is never too late to advance freedom. And it is never too late to support our troops in a fight they can win."Addressing the critics of the war, he said: "It is never too late to deal a blow to al-Qaeda. It is never too late to advance freedom. And it is never too late to support our troops in a fight they can win."
Among the key points of Mr Bush's speech were:
  • Troop reductions to start this month with 5,700 fewer personnel in Iraq by Christmas, and the number of combat brigades to fall from 20 to 15 by July 2008
  • The transition to next phase of Iraq strategy to begin in December, with US troops moving towards a support role for the Iraqi army
  • A free Iraq would be an "anchor for stability" in the region, countering the "destructive ambitions" of Iran and denying al-Qaeda a safe haven
  • Sunni Muslims battling the al-Qaeda insurgency can continue to rely on the support of the US
    • Mr Bush's speech comes after the death of Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, who led what was known as the "Anbar Awakening", an alliance of Sunni Arab tribes that rose up against al-Qaeda in Iraq.Mr Bush's speech comes after the death of Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, who led what was known as the "Anbar Awakening", an alliance of Sunni Arab tribes that rose up against al-Qaeda in Iraq.
    He met and was endorsed by Mr Bush when the president visited US troops in Iraq last week. The White House has condemned his killing in a bomb attack.He met and was endorsed by Mr Bush when the president visited US troops in Iraq last week. The White House has condemned his killing in a bomb attack.
    Correspondents say his death may undermine US efforts against al-Qaeda in Anbar province, or strengthen the tribes' resolve to maintain an alliance with the US and Iraqi government.Correspondents say his death may undermine US efforts against al-Qaeda in Anbar province, or strengthen the tribes' resolve to maintain an alliance with the US and Iraqi government.
    Numbers undecided Democrat criticism
    At a White House briefing ahead of the speech, senior officials said the aim is to reduce the US force from 20 combat brigades to 15 by the middle of next year. The withdrawal plan would bring the number of US troops in Iraq down from a current high of more than 160,000, to "pre-surge" levels of about 130,000.
    Top Democrats say they will try to pass new legislation on Iraq
    The idea is to hand responsibilities for maintaining security over to Iraqi forces.
    Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said it was "premature to put a figure" on the number of troops that would be leaving.
    "That is because there are support troops... the general [Petraeus] has not yet decided how many of those he will still need as he takes out those five combat brigades," he told the Associated Press.
    But it is expected the move would bring the number of US troops in Iraq down from a current high of more than 160,000, to "pre-surge" levels, about 130,000.
    Observers point out that the surge would have had to come to an end next spring anyway, in order to avoid overstretching the military.Observers point out that the surge would have had to come to an end next spring anyway, in order to avoid overstretching the military.
    'Open-ended' The Democrats were critical of Mr Bush's speech, and pledged to "profoundly change" the country's military involvement in Iraq.
    Senior Democrats have said the proposed reductions in US troop numbers are "insufficient" and do not represent a change in course. Senator Jack Reed said: "Once again, the president failed to provide either a plan to successfully end the war or a convincing rationale to continue it."
    Senator Jack Reed is expected to give the party's response shortly after Mr Bush's address.
    House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has accused the president of effectively signing-off on an "open-ended" commitment that could keep US troops in Iraq for 10 years.
    Senator Carl Levin, Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said it appeared that President Bush was prepared to "stay the course indefinitely".
    The Democrats say they plan to put forward a series of amendments intended to limit the mission of US forces in Iraq as legislation is debated in Congress next week.
    The Democrats have so far been unable to pass legislation to set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq because their majority in Congress is too slim to overturn a presidential veto.The Democrats have so far been unable to pass legislation to set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq because their majority in Congress is too slim to overturn a presidential veto.
    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.