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Bush Backs Petraeus' Pause  

Posted Apr 10, 08 12:22 PM CDT in Politics,  US    Most Covered

(newser) – Vowing that Gen. David Petraeus will have “all the time he needs” in Iraq, President Bush today announced a pause, from August until at least mid-September, in withdrawal of troops from Iraq, CNN reports. Citing the post-surge security gains, Bush said, “we have renewed and revived the prospect of success” in a war he characterized as “difficult, not endless.”

Hope to ease pressure on an overworked military, Bush said troop deployments starting in August would be shortened from 15 months to 12. The president also admonished Iran for arming Shiite militias. Echoing Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s testimony before Congress, Bush said Iran “had a choice to make,” and "if Iran makes the wrong choice, America will act to protect our interests.”

Sources CNN, MSNBC

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Bush Backs Petraeus' Pause
President Bush makes a statement on Iraq, Thursday, April 10, 2008, in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
Bush Backs Petraeus' Pause
President Bush makes a statement on Iraq, Thursday, April 10, 2008, in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
Bush Backs Petraeus' Pause
President Bush makes a statement on Iraq, Thursday, April 10, 2008, in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
Bush Backs Petraeus' Pause
President Bush makes a statement on Iraq, Thursday, April 10, 2008, in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
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Iraq  • George W. Bush  • Iran  • David Petraeus  • troop withdrawal  • Ryan Crocker  • Shiite militia  • Shiite militants  • troop drawdown


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Related Threads: Iraq Civil War, Troop Surge in Iraq, President Bush, Iran in Iraq, Iraq Exit Strategy

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