Report on Iraq Sees Progress; Bush Rejects Troop Pullout

[fencesitter]

Source: NYT

By DAVID STOUT and CHRISTINE HAUSER
Published: July 12, 2007

WASHINGTON, July 12 — With the release of a White House report finding some progress on political and security goals in Iraq, President Bush said today that it was premature to be talking now about a withdrawal of American troops.

The report, released this morning, said the Iraqi government had shown satisfactory performance so far on 8 of the 18 benchmarks, including providing brigades of troops to support security operations in Baghdad. But more work was needed on eight others, it said, including preparations for local elections. And in two areas, it was not yet possible to judge how things are going.

Mr. Bush sought to deflect the national discussion on Iraq away from the question of when and how to start withdrawing troops. “This is not the real debate,” he said. “The real debate over Iraq is between those who think the fight is lost, or not worth the cost, and those who believe the fight can be won.”

He added: “As difficult as the fight is, the cost of defeat would be higher. I believe we can succeed in Iraq, and I know we must.”



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/12/world/middleeast/12cnd-surge.html?hp

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Whatta suprise!

[ananda]

1. didn't Bush fire all the generals who disagreed with him!

And now he's telling Reep senators that he has to listen to his commanders
and not them.

What a crazyassed thing that is!

[mrcheerful]

2. The he came out this morning and said that

the terrorists were back up to pre 9/11 numbers. WTF? Seems that they forgot or expect america to forget what they said. Wag the dog indeed.

[peace13]

3. It is good that * can create his own grade card.

Seems to be working for him.