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War of words
US president George W Bush said during a surprise visit to iraq on Monday that security could not maintained with fewer US troops if a turnaround in the restive province of Anbar continues.
Bush, after hearing from top US and Iraqi leaders, said that some troops could be sent home if security conditions across Iraq continue to improves as they have in this former hotbed of sunni insurgency. But the president flanked by defence secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, did not say how many troops could be withdrawn or how soon.
Bush spoke after hearing from Gen. David Petraeus, the top US commader in I raq, and US ambassador to Baghdad Ryan Crocker, who are testifyinig to Congress next week assessing the president’s troop buildup. “petraeus and Crocker tell me if the kind of success we are now seeing continues, it will be possible to maintain the same level of security with fewer American forces,” he said.
Iam going to reassure them that America does not abandon our friends,” he said. Bush met with Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Ma-Liki and other top governoment offical from Baghdad.
Bush’s visit, only his third to Iraq since the invasion, was aimed at highlighting progress in the violence wracked country ahead of a White House report to Congress due by September 15.