U.S. general: No plan to request more GIs

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The top U.S. commander in Iraq said Sunday he does not plan to ask President Bush for more troops during meetings this week, but he declined to say whether he would suggest a reduction of his forces. "I constantly evaluate the situation," Gen. George Casey said. "And if I think I need more, I'll ask more. If I think I need less, I'll tell the president that I need less."

White House officials have played down expectations of troop cutback announcements coming from the president's summit on Iraq. The discussions will be held Monday and Tuesday at Camp David. Bush plans to discuss his Iraq policy with members of his national security team, along with Casey and other military commanders participating via videoconference. Bush also plans to hear from outside experts and top ministers in Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's new government, also participating via video from Baghdad.

Bush says he will make decisions about troops levels based on recommendations from Casey and other military commanders in Iraq. Although Casey said "it's not likely" that he would request more troops during the discussions, he did not rule out bringing in more to help secure Baghdad in the future now that al-Maliki's government is in place.

"Right now we're not planning on it, but it's possible," Casey told "Fox News Sunday."


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060611/ap_on_re_mi_ea/us_iraq