Bush acknowledges setbacks in Iraq

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-21-2006 09:27

Summing up a year of setbacks, US President George. W Bush acknowledges that 2006 was a difficult year for American troops and the Iraqi people. He said that a permanent increase of the size of the US military is necessary, but refused to say if that meant sending more troops to Iraq.

At his traditional end-of-the-year news conference on Wednesday, Bush said he had not decided whether to order a short-term increase in US troops in Iraq in hopes of gaining control of the increasingly violent and chaotic situation there.

He said the US would ask more of its Iraqi partners next year, and said he would work with the new Democrat-controlled Congress to achieve the goal.

And he said more troops were probably needed to tackle security challenges around the world.

Bush said, "I'm inclined to believe that we need to increase the permanent size of both the United States Army and United States Marines. I've asked Secretary Gates to determine how such an increase could take place and report back to me as quickly as possible. The advance of liberty has never been easy and Iraq is proving how tough it can be."

Meanwhile, in Iraq, the US-led coalition handed over security responsibilities to local forces in Najaf province Full Story >> . But the US military said it would remain on standby in case the situation deteriorates.

Robert Gates arrives in Iraq for surprising visit. Full Story >>

Just after that hand-over, the new US Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in Iraq - as always, unannounced - to seek advice from military commanders on a new strategy for the war.

Report: Bush admits U.S. not winning war in Iraq

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush acknowledged for the first time on Tuesday that the United States is not winning the war in Iraq, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday. Full Story >>