Bush meets with panel on Iraq strategy

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 11-14-2006 18:07

U.S. President George W. Bush has met with a bipartisan panel reviewing the administration's Iraq strategy. The meeting follows escalating violence in Iraq and sweeping gains by the Democrats in last week's mid-term elections.

The independent panel is writing a report for presentation to Bush and the US Congress next month that experts believe could offer the president a way to change tactics in Iraq.

On Monday, President Bush met with the Iraq Study Group headed by former secretary of state James A. Baker, a Republican, and Lee Hamilton, a Democratic former congressman.

After the meeting, Bush told reporters at the White House that he was not sure what the report the group was expected to submit next month, and that he was not going to prejudge it.

Bush said: "They want us to succeed in Iraq, just like I want to succeed. And so we had a really good discussion. I'm not sure what the report is going to say. I'm looking forward to seeing it. I believe this: I believe that it's important for us to succeed in Iraq, not only for our security, but for the security of the Middle East, and that I'm looking forward to interesting ideas."

The president also said the U.S. goal in Iraq remained a government that can sustain, govern and defend itself and serve as an ally in the war on terror.

The Iraq Study Group will also interview British Prime Minister Tony Blair by video conference and meet with Democratic foreign policy leaders on Tuesday.

Blair has challenged Syria and Iran to become engaged in efforts to stem violence in Iraq and to secure a broader Middle East peace settlement.

But the US said on Monday that it has ceased efforts to seek direct contact with Iran on ways to ease unrest in Iraq. Bush said Iran should abandon its nuclear ambitions, and Syria must get out of Lebanon.

Editor:Wang Ping