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Bush to consult top Iraq generals Bush consults top Iraq generals
(about 3 hours later)
US President George W Bush will hold a video conference with his senior generals in Iraq later on Saturday to discuss the escalating violence there. US President George W Bush is holding a video conference with his senior generals in Iraq later on Saturday to discuss the escalating violence there.
Mr Bush has said they may focus on changing tactics to combat the unrest, but not the overall military strategy.Mr Bush has said they may focus on changing tactics to combat the unrest, but not the overall military strategy.
Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Iraqis should take responsibility for security "sooner rather than later".Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Iraqis should take responsibility for security "sooner rather than later".
Their comments come amid fears that Mr Bush's Iraq policy could cost his party control of Congress in upcoming polls.Their comments come amid fears that Mr Bush's Iraq policy could cost his party control of Congress in upcoming polls.
Opinion polls suggest two-thirds of Americans think the president's strategy in Iraq has failed.Opinion polls suggest two-thirds of Americans think the president's strategy in Iraq has failed.
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the figure could translate into catastrophic election losses in mid-term elections next month, which might see the Democrats back in power in Congress and the Bush presidency becoming the lamest of lame ducks.The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the figure could translate into catastrophic election losses in mid-term elections next month, which might see the Democrats back in power in Congress and the Bush presidency becoming the lamest of lame ducks.
Phased withdrawalPhased withdrawal
Leaders of the opposition Democrat Party have sought to put further pressure on Mr Bush by calling for the start of a phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq by the end of the year.Leaders of the opposition Democrat Party have sought to put further pressure on Mr Bush by calling for the start of a phased withdrawal of US troops from Iraq by the end of the year.
British prepare Amara return Iraq's sectarian splitBritish prepare Amara return Iraq's sectarian split
They also want the president to convene an international conference to support what they call a political settlement in Iraq.They also want the president to convene an international conference to support what they call a political settlement in Iraq.
Amid the mounting domestic pressure for a change of strategy in Iraq, Mr Bush said he planned to hold consultations on tactics with Gen John Abizaid, the top US commander in the Middle East, and Gen George Casey, the leader of the US-led coalition in Iraq. Amid the mounting domestic pressure for a change of strategy in Iraq, Mr Bush was consultating on tactics with Gen John Abizaid, the top US commander in the Middle East, and Gen George Casey, the leader of the US-led coalition in Iraq.
"Our goal hasn't changed, but the tactics are constantly adjusting to an enemy which is brutal and violent," he said."Our goal hasn't changed, but the tactics are constantly adjusting to an enemy which is brutal and violent," he said.
White House spokesman Tony Snow said the meeting was one of a series of regular consultations and had been scheduled "for weeks".White House spokesman Tony Snow said the meeting was one of a series of regular consultations and had been scheduled "for weeks".
Major testMajor test
Concerns about rising violence in Iraq have been further fuelled by clashes between Iraqi police and gunmen loyal to the radical cleric, Moqtada al-Sadr, in the southern town of Amara.Concerns about rising violence in Iraq have been further fuelled by clashes between Iraqi police and gunmen loyal to the radical cleric, Moqtada al-Sadr, in the southern town of Amara.
Medical sources say 31 people were killed in street battles, and many more were injured.Medical sources say 31 people were killed in street battles, and many more were injured.
Correspondents say the clashes are a major test of the Iraqi government's ability to tackle sectarian militias.Correspondents say the clashes are a major test of the Iraqi government's ability to tackle sectarian militias.
Click here to see where Iraq's ethnic and religious groups liveEnlarge MapClick here to see where Iraq's ethnic and religious groups liveEnlarge Map
British troops had handed over control of Amara in August to Iraqi security forces, but say they will return if needed.British troops had handed over control of Amara in August to Iraqi security forces, but say they will return if needed.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told the BBC there should be a rethink of tactics in Amara.Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari told the BBC there should be a rethink of tactics in Amara.
He said Iraqi and international forces would have to assess whether the city and the surrounding province were ready to be handed over to Iraqi control.He said Iraqi and international forces would have to assess whether the city and the surrounding province were ready to be handed over to Iraqi control.
But, asked about the clashes, Mr Rumsfeld said that while US troops did from time to time have to step in, it was ultimately up to the Iraqis to control their own security.But, asked about the clashes, Mr Rumsfeld said that while US troops did from time to time have to step in, it was ultimately up to the Iraqis to control their own security.
"The biggest mistake would be to not pass things over to the Iraqis and to create dependency on their part," he said."The biggest mistake would be to not pass things over to the Iraqis and to create dependency on their part," he said.
'Disheartening''Disheartening'
In another development, the Iraqi president's security adviser said Iraqi forces trying to improve security in Baghdad were under-funded, badly trained and poorly equipped.In another development, the Iraqi president's security adviser said Iraqi forces trying to improve security in Baghdad were under-funded, badly trained and poorly equipped.
Wafiq al-Samarra'i said that sometimes the insurgents and death squads had better weapons than the security forces trying to combat them.Wafiq al-Samarra'i said that sometimes the insurgents and death squads had better weapons than the security forces trying to combat them.
Iraq has turned into a failed state. It's high time Bush and his followers acknowledged their failed policies and left Iraqis alone to sort out the mess that the invasion caused Willy KisituWroclaw, Poland Your views on Iraq Iraq has turned into a failed state. It's high time Bush and his followers acknowledged their failed policies and left Iraqis alone to sort out the mess that the invasion caused Willy KisituWroclaw, Poland Your views on Iraq
The comments come a day after the US military said there had been a "disheartening" 22% rise in attacks in Baghdad this month, despite a two-month-old security operation.The comments come a day after the US military said there had been a "disheartening" 22% rise in attacks in Baghdad this month, despite a two-month-old security operation.
Launched in June, Operation Together Forward is a joint US and Iraqi security drive in which thousands of extra troops have been deployed in Baghdad.Launched in June, Operation Together Forward is a joint US and Iraqi security drive in which thousands of extra troops have been deployed in Baghdad.
On Wednesday, Mr Bush said the escalation of violence in Iraq "could be" comparable to the 1968 Tet Offensive against US troops, which helped turn public opinion against the Vietnam War.On Wednesday, Mr Bush said the escalation of violence in Iraq "could be" comparable to the 1968 Tet Offensive against US troops, which helped turn public opinion against the Vietnam War.
With 73 US soldiers killed so far, October is on course to become the deadliest month for US forces in Iraq for two years.With 73 US soldiers killed so far, October is on course to become the deadliest month for US forces in Iraq for two years.