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Bush Vows Modest Pullback in Wake of 'Success'

'Endless military presence' slammed by Dems

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 14, 2007 5:09 AM CDT
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(Newser) – President Bush announced that 24,000 troops will return home by July 2008 in an address to the nation in which he touted advancements in Iraq. He termed the reduction "a return on success" that could be squandered by larger withdrawals. Troops could still be added, however, so the total in 2008 could end up higher than the pre-surge number in 2006, the New York Times reports.

Bush also called for an "enduring" relationship with Iraq involving troops beyond his presidency. Last night's 18-minute speech was attacked by Democratic Sen. Jack Reed, who said Bush painted a future of an "endless and unlimited military presence in Iraq, failing to provide either a plan to successfully end the war or a convincing rationale to continue it."

President Bush, shakes hands with Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, right, leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, also known as the Anbar Awakening -- an alliance of clans backing the Iraqi government and U.S. forces -- during a meeting with tribal leaders at Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province, Iraq, in...
President Bush, shakes hands with Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, right, leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, also known as the Anbar Awakening -- an alliance of clans backing the Iraqi government and U.S....   (Associated Press)
This photo provided by the White House shows President Bush, center, going over a draft of his address to the nation with members of the White House speech writing staff, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. From left are
This photo provided by the White House shows President Bush, center, going over a draft of his address to the nation with members of the White House speech writing staff, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007, in...   (Associated Press)
President George W. Bush pauses in the Oval Office after addressing the nation on his strategy for Iraq, at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007. Bush says he is working on the recommendations of Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, to begin bringing...
President George W. Bush pauses in the Oval Office after addressing the nation on his strategy for Iraq, at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007. Bush says he is working on the recommendations...   (Associated Press)
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Address on Iraq

Setback for Bush as US ally is assassinated
New York Times

Excerpt from the President's address
New York Times

Text of President's address with video
White House

Text of Sen. Jack Reed's response to the President's address
Washington Post

US

 
Iraq • David Petraeus • Rahm Emanuel • Anbar • Abdul Sattar Buzaigh al Rishawi • Jack Reed • al-Qaeda • Iraq war • George W. Bush

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