Bush Concedes Iraq War More Difficult Than He Expected
President Bush acknowledged today that the war in Iraq has been more difficult than he anticipated, but insisted that it could still be won. He said the “extremists and radicals†behind the bombing and attacks in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq “can’t run us out of the Middle East.â€
Speaking at a White House news conference, Mr. Bush said he would await the results of a review of the administration’s policy on Iraq before announcing a new strategy for the “war on terrorism.†But he said he had asked his new defense secretary, Robert M. Gates, to explore increasing the “permanent size†of the United States Army and the Marine Corps.
“We have an obligation to ensure our military has the capacity to sustain this war over the long haul,†the president said.
He acknowledged that his hand might be forced by the Democratic-controlled Congress when it convenes in January. “People in Congress are interested in this issue,†he said.
On the domestic front, Mr. Bush said he would support a $2.10 increase in the minimum wage, a top Democratic issue, over two years, as long as it was coupled with tax and regulatory relief for small business.
On Iraq, Mr. Bush said he would support a measure to send a surge of fresh troops to the country, as long as there was “a specific mission†for the additional forces.
He said it was essential to “adjust tactics†in Iraq and have Iraqis “do more soon,†but said, “I believe we are going to win.â€
While he said he would not make predictions about 2007, he said Iraq “would require difficult choices and additional sacrifices because the enemy is merciless and violent.â€
The president said he was willing to talk to Iran and Syria, as advocated recently by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, but only with conditions. He said Iran would have to stop its program to enrich uranium, which could allow it to develop nuclear weapons, before discussions could begin.
Syria, he said, would have to stop sending funds to insurgents in Iraq and stop interfering in neighboring Lebanon.
Mr. Bush said he was willing to study what went wrong in Iraq as part of the effort to adjust tactics in the country. The “sectarian violence is brutal,†he said, between the country’s Islamic sects.
The president is expected to announce the specifics of the administration’s new plan for Iraq early next year.
As the president spoke, his new defense secretary was in Baghdad, where he planned to meet with military leaders and Iraqi officials to assess the situation as the administration considers new strategies.
Mr. Gates has warned that an American failure in Iraq could lead to a wider regional conflict in the Middle East.
Source: The New York Times
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