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Bush plan for Iraq faces opposition in Congress

Republicans join Democrats against President's move

WASHINGTON: United States President George W. Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq is already running into trouble on Capitol Hill, with Republicans joining Democrats in raising eyebrows before the President even has a chance to make his case.

Next week, Mr. Bush will unveil a new Iraq strategy that entails political, military and economic steps to win the war. The military solution, which has attracted the most attention and scepticism from Congress, is expected to include an increase in U.S. troops, possibly 9,000 additional troops deployed in Baghdad alone.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid shot down the suggestion of more troops within a day of gaining control of Congress. ``We are well past the point of more troops for Iraq,'' the two wrote in a letter to Mr. Bush. Instead, Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Reid urged Mr. Bush to begin pulling troops out in four to six months.

While lawmakers said they were willing to wait and see the entirety of Mr. Bush's plan before dismissing it, members — including some Republicans — said they remained deeply sceptical about sending more troops.

Even Republican Sen. John McCain, who advocates sending more troops in Iraq, said he would not support sending in the additional forces unless the number was adequate enough to finally tamp down the violence. — AP

Officials reshuffled

Mr. Bush on Friday signalled a reshuffle of his top military and diplomatic team in Iraq in preparation for the unveiling next week of the controversial conclusions of his review into U.S. strategy in the region.

Administration officials confirmed that Mr Bush would replace his two top Generals in Iraq, both of whom have expressed unease about proposals to boost the number of U.S. troops in the country. Their places will be taken by Generals whose track record points to a further hardening of the President's strategy in favour of combat, rather than withdrawal.

The top military post in Iraq, currently held by Gen George Casey, is expected to go to General David Petraeus. He is recognised as an expert in counter-insurgency. Gen. John Abizaid, head of Central Command, is likely to be replaced by Admiral William Fallon, who has a reputation as a tough commander.

He is currently the top U.S. military officer in the Pacific, covering North Korea and China. Mr Bush is also to reshuffle the pack on the diplomatic side, with the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, being pulled out and sent to represent Washington at the U.N. In his place will come the U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, Ryan Crocker, who has had long experience in West Asia and is an expert on Iran.

Mr Bush also confirmed on Friday the appointment of Admiral Mike McConnell as the Director of National Intelligence, replacing John Negroponte, who becomes Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's deputy. —

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2007

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