No Additional Troops to Baghdad?

By
MARTHA RADDATZ
October 20, 2006, 7:21 PM ET
2 min read

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2006 — -- After what has been one of the toughest weeks in Iraq in recent memory, President Bush has gathered his top advisers for discussions on tactics. But a senior military official told ABC News that any changes agreed upon would not include more U.S. troops going into violence-torn Baghdad.

Middle East commander, Gen. John Abizaid, arrived at the White House late today for a meeting with Bush. Gen. George Casey, the commander of forces in Iraq, will talk to the president from Baghdad on Saturday.

"My message to them is whatever you need, we'll give you and whatever tactics you think work on the ground, you put in place," Bush said.

As violence spikes in Baghdad, a senior military official told ABC News that for now, the changes would be only minor adjustments in how the battle is fought -- there are no large scale changes in the plan.

The official also said that "no additional U.S. troops" would be sent into Baghdad until there is a "stronger degree of commitment" by the Iraqi government to deal with the sectarian violence.

Democrats Urge Changes

As Bush meets with his advisers, the administration faces a growing chorus of criticism about its overall strategy in Iraq. The Democratic leadership has sent a letter to Bush calling on him to "urgently change course."

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the administration and the Pentagon constantly review the Iraq plan.

"No one on the National Security Council or a commander in the field makes a decision and sets a course and then puts their brain at rest," Rumsfeld said. "All those participants continually review and think and analyze."

The White House has already ruled out partitioning Iraq, as even some prominent Republicans have suggested.

And pulling out the troops altogether or on a timetable is a "nonstarter," according to the Bush administration.

So what will Bush do?

A senior official said that the pressure will continue on Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to crack down on the militias.

"At some point we have to look Maliki in the eye and say, 'If you're not willing to take control of this situation, then ... we're withdrawing our support,'" said retired Col. Gary Anderson.

A senior official said Maliki would be given until the end of the year, and then there will be a reassessment of the situation to see whether it is working.