Bush suspends troop withdrawal, cuts combat tours

Source: Xinhua | 04-11-2008 07:56

WASHINGTON, April. 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush suspended on Thursday further U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq beyond July and cut Army combat troops in Iraq from 15 months to 12 months.

By announcing the two decisions, the president endorsed plans that were proposed by David Petraeus, top U.S. commander in Iraq, during his testimony on the Capitol Hill in the previous two days.

Bush said Petraeus has requested additional time to assess whether the U.S. military can maintain the recent security improvements with fewer U.S. troops on the ground.

"I told him he'll have all the time he needs," the president said.

Accepting another recommendation from Petraeus, Bush said he will reduce combat tours from 15 to 12 months.

However, the shortened tours would apply only to troops deployed on or after Aug. 1 and would not cutback tours for those currently in Iraq.

"Our nation owes a special thanks to the soldiers and families who have supported this extended deployment," Bush said.

The president also warned Iran against arming Shiite militants in Iraq, saying Iran "has a choice to make."

"If Iran makes the wrong choice, America will act to protect our interests, our troops and our Iraqi partners," he said.

Petraeus recommended that troop withdrawals from Iraq be paused for 45 days after July when U.S. forces in Iraq will be reduced to140,000.

But both Petraeus and Bush are uncommitted to further withdrawals.

The war in Iraq has claimed more than 4,000 U.S. lives and cost an estimated 600 billion U.S. dollars since 2003.

It is widely unpopular at home, with a CNN poll in March showing about two-thirds of the country opposes the conflict.

U.S. military leaders have also warned the war has left the service "out of balance," with troops strained by extended deployments and equipment worn by exposure to harsh desert conditions.

The president's announcement came after he met with Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, U.S. ambassador to Iraq in the White House.

In the speech, Bush also said Iraqi forces are increasingly capable of fighting extremists.

"American and Iraqi forces have made significant progress," Bush said, noting that sectarian violence is "down dramatically."

He said many mainstream Sunnis and Shiites are fighting the extremists who want to provoke sectarian violence.

"Serious and complex challenges remain in Iraq, from the presence of al-Qaida to the destructive influence of Iran to hard compromises needed for further political progress," he said.

"Yet with the surge a major strategic shift has occurred. ... today we have the initiative," said Bush.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei