US President George W. Bush said Wednesday a "difficult decision" on a new policy on Iraq would not be rushed. After listening to differing advice to develop an Iraq strategy, he would deliver his plan after "after long and steady deliberation."

The White House initially suggested that Bush would present his new Iraq strategy before Christmas, but the speech will now be delayed until early next year.

"I'm not going to be rushed into making a difficult decision," the president told reporters after a meeting at the Pentagon with Vice President Dick Cheney, outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Peter Pace and other military leaders.

He said he wanted the incoming defense secretary, Robert Gates, due to be sworn in next Monday, to help develop the new policy. "I also want the new Secretary of Defense to have time to evaluate the situation, so he can provide serious and deliberate advice to me," he said.

Bush said discussions included a new way forward in Iraq, and to help the Iraqi government confront and defeat the enemies.

"I am listening to a lot of advice to develop a strategy to help you succeed," he said.

The United States is committed to a "strategic goal of a free Iraq that is democratic, that can govern itself, defend itself and sustain itself and be a strong ally in this war against radicals and extremists," he said.

Bush said he rejected ideas leading to defeat, such as "leaving before the job is done" and "not helping this government take the necessary and hard steps to be able to do its job."
He admitted that the military could not achieve the goal in Iraq, without an effective political strategy.

Earlier this week, Bush went to the State Department to meet with outside experts on Iraq before consulting with Iraqi officials and US commanders, to prepare for his new strategy on Iraq.

(Xinhua News Agency December 14, 2006)