Bush [DownUnder] defends troop buildup in Iraq

[rodeodance]

Source: ap

Bush defends troop buildup in Iraq

By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer 7 minutes ago

SYDNEY, Australia - President Bush vigorously defended his troop buildup in Iraq on Wednesday, and got a boost when Australian Prime Minister John Howard said his country's forces there won't change for the foreseeable future.

"Our commitment to Iraq remains," pledged Howard, one of Bush's few remaining staunch war allies. "This is not the time for any proposals of a scaling down of Australian forces." The two men spoke at a news conference.

Bush, his voice rising before he had even been asked a question about the war, spoke forcefully about the 30,000 additional American troops he sent to Iraq this year. His decision raised troop levels in Iraq to about 160,000.

"If I didn't think we could succeed, I wouldn't have our troops there," he said.

Bush said it was important "that we hang in there with the Iraqis and help them."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070905/ap_on_re_au_an/bush ;_ylt=AlVCDrp9YpGKuW.x_dIAogas0NUE

[rodeodance]

1. . why don't we see what they say and then I'll let you know," Bush said

Bush's troop increase will end by default in April or May, when one of the added brigades is slated to leave, unless Bush makes other changes to hold the number steady.

The president would not elaborate on his comments at the start of the trip — in Iraq and then on the flight to Australia — in which he hinted at troop withdrawals if security conditions keep improving. He reiterated his belief that troop-level decisions should be based on recommendations from military commanders.

"Whether or not that's part of the policy I announce to the nation ... why don't we see what they say and then I'll let you know," Bush said, referring to Petraeus and Crocker.

In Iraq on Monday, Bush met with Iraqi government and Sunni tribal leaders, U.S. troops and their commanders at a military base in the heart of Anbar province, once rife with Sunni insurgents.

[Solly Mack]

2. "...hang in there with the Iraqis and help them."

invade Iraq for lies and trumped up evidence, torture the people, detain them for no reason...destroy their country...and call it help.

[Supersedeas]

3. Not peep, only the sound of crickets in the U.S. media regarding the withdrawal of Brit forces from

Basra....did you see total callamity in Basra that was and is predicted by the Bushbots once allied forces are withdrawn?

Odd, the powdered faces would rather talk about the Anna Nicole Smith men? Celebrity new, infortainment, and a heavy dose of advertising for the Oil, Car and Defense industry.