Bush Satisfied With Iraq Progress

Acknowledging 'war fatigue,' president warns against hasty withdrawal

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 12, 2007 4:56 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Bush used today's interim report on the Iraq war to renew his call for Congress to withhold judgment on the troop surge until a September update, saying the military will "be in a better position to adjust" in 2 months. The report notes positive movement in eight out of 18 areas but gives unsatisfactory marks on eight other benchmarks.

Bush expressed concern about the Iraqi government, which has "not done enough to prepare for local elections." He continued to link the war to Al-Qaeda and Iran, the Washington Post reports, and was optimistic overall. "I believe we can succeed," he declared at his first briefing in the new press room, which reopened yesterday after nearly a year of refurbishment.

Gen. David Petraeus, left, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, meets his field commanders in Baqouba, 60 kilometers (35 miles) northeast of Baghdad, Saturday, July 7, 2007. Sunni extremists are likely to... (Associated Press)

President Bush exits a C-17 transport plane to greet returning soldiers, wounded in Iraq and possibly Afghanistan at Andrews Air Force Base, Tuesday, July 10, 2007, in Maryland. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez... (Associated Press)

Iraqis, framed by a hole in a damaged building, stand in rubble left behind after an overnight raid in the Azamiyah neighborhood by U.S. troops Thursday, July 12, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq. Neighbors in... (Associated Press)

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, center, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, listen as President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, not shown,... (Associated Press)

President Bush speaks during a news conference, Thursday, July 12, 2007, in the White House Press Room, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) (Associated Press)

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Bush Satisfied With Iraq Progress

Acknowledging 'war fatigue,' president warns against hasty withdrawal

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Iraq • Congress • Democrats • Republican • White House • David Petraeus • United States • US troops • troop withdrawal • benchmarks • progress report • press conference • Iraq war • George W. Bush

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Iraq Making Slow Gains on Goals, Says White House

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Bush Satisfied With Iraq Progress

Acknowledging 'war fatigue,' president warns against hasty withdrawal

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

More background

Related articles

Iraq • Congress • Democrats • Republican • White House • David Petraeus • United States • US troops • troop withdrawal • benchmarks • progress report • press conference • Iraq war • George W. Bush

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Iraq Making Slow Gains on Goals, Says White House

Government met only half of its benchmarks

Fear Rules Iraq, Briefers Tell Congress

Benchmarks not likely to be met, say Crocker, Petraeus

Senate Backs Troop Pullout Timetable

Bill ties troop funding to March 2008 withdrawal deadline

Iraq Gov't Fails Progress Report

US-backed regime lags on all economic and political targets

Top Republican Calls for New Iraq Plan

Lugar urges Bush to pursue economic and diplomatic strategy

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?