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Pentagon Weighs Iraqi Plan to Secure Baghdad

Posted on: Wednesday, 13 December 2006, 06:01 CST

By David Jackson

WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon is considering an Iraqi government proposal for Iraq to take the lead in securing Baghdad, as President Bush put off announcement of a new Iraq strategy until early next year, aides said Tuesday.

The administration has yet to complete its internal review of the Iraq situation, which now includes the Baghdad security proposal made to Bush on Nov. 30 by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. It basically calls for an Iraqi takeover of the capital city next year.

"The President was pleased to see the Maliki government being assertive in its plan to secure Baghdad," said Emily Lawrimore, a White House spokeswoman.

Bush, who had hoped to deliver a major Iraq speech by Christmas, is pressing his staff for details on how a new plan would affect military strategy, national security, diplomatic concerns, internal Iraqi politics, and Middle East relations, according to spokesman Tony Snow. "He decided, frankly, that it's not ready yet," Snow said.

The White House made the announcement after Bush conducted a videoconference with U.S. military leaders in Iraq.

Bush did not mention the speech delay after his meeting Tuesday with Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi. The president thanked al-Hashemi for seeking reconciliation in a nation beset by sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites. Hashemi noted that administration officials are "revising their strategy," and thanked them for seeking a "fair analysis" from Iraq's leaders.

Today, Bush goes to the Pentagon as part of a three-day series of Iraq consultations. (c) Copyright 2005 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

Source: USA TODAY

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