Bush To Outline New Iraq Strategy
Washington: US President George W. Bush has confirmed that he would set up a new Iraq strategy after hearing from his top functionaries and pepped up his war-weary compatriots to rally behind the plan.
On Saturday, in his weekly radio address taped in Australia where he is presently attending the Asia-Pacific meet, Bush said, “I will discuss the changes our strategy has brought to Iraq. I will lay out a vision for future involvement in Iraq -- one that I believe the American people and their elected leaders of both parties can support.”
Bush told he will talk about his strategy after hearing from his senior military leader in Iraq General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker.
"Next week, after consulting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, my national security team, members of Congress from both parties, and Iraqi leaders, I will speak directly to the nation about the recommendations General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker have presented to me," Bush added.
The President also called on members of Congress to pay attention to General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker prior to rising to any conclusions.
Petraeus and Crocker were to speak to lawmakers earlier than a September 15 development report from the White House to Congress.
In his weekly lecture, Bush said, “By coming together on the way forward, we will strengthen Iraq's democracy, deal a blow to our enemies, secure interests in the Middle East, and make our Nation safer.”
The President also discussed his surprise visit to Iraq’s Anbar region before coming to Australia for the 21-member APEC meet.