Reuters: Petraeus could provide political cover for Republicans, dissuade them from abandoning Bush

[Amerigo Vespucci]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. general in Iraq on Monday recommended cutting American troops by about 30,000 by next summer, ending the so-called surge of forces but not fundamentally changing strategy in the unpopular war. Gen. David Petraeus, facing Democratic lawmakers and many voters demanding a quick end to the U.S. engagement in Iraq, suggested the force could fall to about 130,000 by August without jeopardizing modest recent security improvements.

That would return the U.S. troop strength to roughly the same level it was before an increase ordered by President George W. Bush between February and June. Petraeus said it was not yet possible to predict when the number could go lower.

Petraeus appeared at a congressional hearing seen as a crucial moment in the U.S. debate over the war, which Bush has vowed to pursue but which many Democrats, who control Congress, say must end.

Analysts said Petraeus's recommendation to bring some troops home by Christmas and more in 2008 could provide political cover for Republicans and dissuade them from abandoning Bush while blunting Democratic calls for more dramatic withdrawals.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070910/ts_nm/iraq_dc

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