US President George W. Bush said Tuesday that American forces
will remain in Iraq for years and it will be up to a future
president to decide when to bring them all home.
But defying critics and plunging polls, he declared, "I'm
optimistic we'll succeed. If not, I'd pull our troops out."
The president rejected calls for the resignation of Defense
Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, chief architect of wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan. "Listen, every war plan looks good on paper until you
meet the enemy," Bush said, acknowledging mistakes as the US was
forced to switch tactics and change a reconstruction strategy that
offered targets for insurgents.
He also rejected assertions by Iraq's former interim prime
minister that the country had fallen into civil war amid sectarian
violence that has left more than 1,000 Iraqis dead since the
bombing last month of a Shiite Muslim shrine.
"This is a moment the Iraqis had a chance to fall apart and they
didn't," Bush said, crediting religious and political leaders with
restraint.
The president spoke for nearly an hour at a White House news
conference, part of a new offensive to ease Americans' unhappiness
with the war and fellow Republicans' anxiety about fall elections.
He faced skeptical questions about Iraq during an appearance Monday
in Cleveland, and plans another address soon on Iraq.
Public support for the war and for Bush himself has fallen in
recent months, jeopardizing the political capital he claimed from
his 2004 reelection victory. "I'd say I'm spending that capital on
the war," Bush said.
The White House believes that people appreciate Bush's
plainspoken approach even if they disagree with his decisions.
"I understand war creates concerns," the president said. "Nobody
likes war. It creates a sense of uncertainty in the country."
Bush has adamantly refused to set a deadline for the withdrawal
of US forces from Iraq. Asked if there would come a day when there
would be no more US forces in Iraq, Bush said, "That, of course, is
an objective. And that will be decided by future presidents and
future governments of Iraq."
Pressed on whether that meant a complete withdrawal would not
happen during his presidency, Bush said, "I can only tell you that
I will make decisions on force levels based upon what the
commanders on the ground say."
White House officials worried Bush's remarks would be read as
saying there would not be significant troop reductions during his
presidency. They pointed to comments Sunday by Gen. George W.
Casey, commander of US forces in Iraq, who said he expected a
substantial troop reduction "certainly over the course of 2006 and
into 2007."
The Pentagon announced last December that US force levels would
be reduced from the baseline figure of about 138,000 to about
131,000 by the end of March. The total currently is 133,000. In
late February the Pentagon told Congress that "it will be possible
to consider" additional reductions as the political process moves
forward and as Iraqi security forces gain experience. No timetable
has been set for deciding on additional cuts.
More than 2,300 American troops have died in Iraq. At home,
nearly four of five people, including 70 percent of Republicans,
believe civil war will break out in Iraq, according to a recent
AP-Ipsos poll.
Bush said US forces were essential for the stability of Iraq and
restraining al-Qaida in the Middle East.
"Their objective for driving us out of Iraq is to have a place
from which to launch their campaign to overthrow moderate
governments in the Middle East, as well as to continue attacking
places like the US," he said.
Despite pleas from fellow Republicans, Bush has rejected calls
for a White House staff shake-up, saying he was satisfied with his
aides. He did not rule out bringing in a savvy Washington insider,
as some have suggested, but said, "I'm not going to announce it
right now." Aides said later he was not trying to signal any
appointment.
Bush defended his administration's warrantless eavesdropping
program whose legality has been questioned by Democrats and
Republicans alike. Putting his remarks in a political context, he
said, "Nobody from the Democratic Party has actually stood up and
called for getting rid of the of the terrorist surveillance
program."
Bush accused Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold of "needless
partisanship" for urging censure of the president for authorizing
the surveillance program.
On the economy, Bush sidestepped a direct answer when asked
whether he was concerned about rising interest rates. He simply
said the US economy was very strong. He expressed disappointment
that Congress shelved his Social Security overhaul and said the
system won't be changed without the cooperation of Democrats and
Republicans together.
(Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies, March 22, 2006)
