Gold9472
06-10-2006, 05:31 PM
Bush says US troops out only after "victory" in Iraq
http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyID=2006-06-09T155128Z_01_N09174005_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-BUSH.xml
By Caren Bohan
Fri Jun 9, 2006 11:51am ET
CAMP DAVID, Maryland (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Friday he would like to see U.S. troops out of Iraq as soon as possible but reiterated U.S. resolve to stay until the Iraqi government is able to secure the country on its own.
Seeking to quell speculation that the killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi on Wednesday would open the way for U.S. troop reductions, Bush said the death of al Qaeda's leader in Iraq would "help a lot" but would not end the Iraq war.
"I do not want the American people to think that a war is won with the death of one person," Bush said at a joint news conference with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the presidential retreat at Camp David.
Zarqawi's killing gave Bush a desperately needed success in Iraq, the most significant since Saddam Hussein's capture in December 2003, as he tries to revive sagging American confidence in his handling of the war and lift his own low approval ratings.
Despite pressure from Democrats to redeploy U.S. forces by the end the year, Bush stood firm and offered no timetable for a withdrawal of the some 130,000 U.S. troops in Iraq.
"I've told the American people I'd like to get our troops out as soon as possible. But the definition of 'as soon as possible,' is depending upon victory in Iraq ... and victory in Iraq is a country that can sustain itself, govern itself and defend itself."
Bush said he was sure al Qaeda, behind beheadings of foreigners and some of the bloodiest bombings since a U.S.-led invasion in 2003, would try to regroup after the death of the Jordanian-born militant and launch further attacks.
"Removing Zarqawi is a major blow to al Qaeda. It's not going to end the war, it's certainly not going to end the violence, but it's going to help a lot," Bush said.
mericans: "It requires a certain amount of patience to succeed."
Bush said on Thursday he would discuss next Tuesday with Iraqi leaders "how to best deploy America's resources in Iraq," but a senior White House official cautioned that Bush was not hinting at possible early reductions in U.S. troops there.
Bush planned to meet key members of his Cabinet and national security team at Camp David on Monday, then on Tuesday Iraq's new ambassador to the United States will join in a teleconference discussion with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and members of his Cabinet.
http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyID=2006-06-09T155128Z_01_N09174005_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-BUSH.xml
By Caren Bohan
Fri Jun 9, 2006 11:51am ET
CAMP DAVID, Maryland (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Friday he would like to see U.S. troops out of Iraq as soon as possible but reiterated U.S. resolve to stay until the Iraqi government is able to secure the country on its own.
Seeking to quell speculation that the killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi on Wednesday would open the way for U.S. troop reductions, Bush said the death of al Qaeda's leader in Iraq would "help a lot" but would not end the Iraq war.
"I do not want the American people to think that a war is won with the death of one person," Bush said at a joint news conference with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the presidential retreat at Camp David.
Zarqawi's killing gave Bush a desperately needed success in Iraq, the most significant since Saddam Hussein's capture in December 2003, as he tries to revive sagging American confidence in his handling of the war and lift his own low approval ratings.
Despite pressure from Democrats to redeploy U.S. forces by the end the year, Bush stood firm and offered no timetable for a withdrawal of the some 130,000 U.S. troops in Iraq.
"I've told the American people I'd like to get our troops out as soon as possible. But the definition of 'as soon as possible,' is depending upon victory in Iraq ... and victory in Iraq is a country that can sustain itself, govern itself and defend itself."
Bush said he was sure al Qaeda, behind beheadings of foreigners and some of the bloodiest bombings since a U.S.-led invasion in 2003, would try to regroup after the death of the Jordanian-born militant and launch further attacks.
"Removing Zarqawi is a major blow to al Qaeda. It's not going to end the war, it's certainly not going to end the violence, but it's going to help a lot," Bush said.
mericans: "It requires a certain amount of patience to succeed."
Bush said on Thursday he would discuss next Tuesday with Iraqi leaders "how to best deploy America's resources in Iraq," but a senior White House official cautioned that Bush was not hinting at possible early reductions in U.S. troops there.
Bush planned to meet key members of his Cabinet and national security team at Camp David on Monday, then on Tuesday Iraq's new ambassador to the United States will join in a teleconference discussion with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and members of his Cabinet.