President Bush, admitting that "it's bad in Iraq-But does he realy see it?

WASHINGTON -
President Bush, admitting that "it's bad in Iraq," acknowledged Thursday that the United States
needs a new approach in the unpopular war and promised to unveil details in an upcoming speech.
Bush said he was disappointed in the progress in Iraq, but continued to oppose direct U.S. talks with Iran or Syria and remained steadfastly committed to spreading democracy across the Middle East.

"I do know that we have not succeeded as fast as we wanted to succeed," Bush said, standing alongside British Prime Minister Tony Blair, his chief ally in the war. "I do understand that process is not as rapid as I had hoped." Bush's meeting with Blair came a day after the Iraq Study Group headed by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and former Democratic Rep. Lee Hamilton issued a stinging report saying the Bush policies in Iraq had failed and a major course correction was needed, including beginning to withdraw combat troops.
Bush said the study group's report would be an important part of his considerations. He said he was awaiting results of internal reviews being done at the Pentagon, State Department and the White House and would deliver a speech to the nation on Iraq in coming weeks after he decides on a new course.
The study group concluded that a stable, democratic Iraq was still possible, but Baker said: "We do not know if it can be turned around." Bush was more upbeat, but gave no hints about whether he was contemplating a major policy shift. At the same time, Bush said that he didn't think Baker and Hamilton "expect us to accept every recommendation."
"It makes sense to analyze the situation and to devise a set of tactics and strategies to achieve the objective that I have stated," Bush said. "And so, if the present situation needs to be changed, it follows that we'll change it if we want to succeed."
The report, which warns that the situation in Iraq is "grave and deteriorating," contains 79 separate recommendations. They call for a gradual withdrawal of U.S. combat forces during the next year to ramp up the training of Iraqi security forces. There are currently some 135,000 US soldiers and 7,100 British soldiers serving in Iraq.
Both Bush and Blair said that supporting the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was central to efforts to help Iraq defend, govern and sustain itself. They both urged al-Maliki to do more to assert control and quell violence. Bush was asked whether he thought the study group suggested that he did not appreciate the extent of the violence in Iraq.
"It's bad in Iraq. That help?" retorted Bush." You know, in all due respect, I've been saying it a lot," Bush continued. "I understand how tough it is and have been telling the American people how tough it is. And they know how tough it is."
Another recommendation from the study group calls for enlisting diplomatic help from Iraq's neighbors, including Iran and Syria — not only to resolve problems in Iraq but to find an end to the long-running conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. One of the study group's central recommendations was for the administration to reach out to Syria and Iran for help in stabilizing Iraq, a course Bush has rejected in the past and confronted skeptically on Thursday.
"Countries that participate in talks must not fund terrorism, must help the young democracy survive, must help with the economics of the country," Bush said. "If people are not committed, if Syria and Iran is not committed to that concept, then they shouldn't bother to show up."
For his part, Blair suggested that Iran's support for Shiite militants in southern Iraq presented a problem. "Iran has been ... basically arming, supporting, financing terrorism," the visiting British leader said.
Blair said he welcomed the Baker-Hamilton report despite its depiction of a failed policy that both he and Bush had previously embraced.
"It offers a strong way forward. I think it is important now we concentrate on the elements that are necessary to make sure that we succeed — because the consequences of failure are severe," Blair said.
Bush appeared to endorse the bipartisan panel's conclusion that any resolution of the Iraq conflict is tied to reducing tensions between Israel and the Palestinians and across the broader Middle East — a position Blair has long held.
"It's a tough time and it’s a difficult moment for America and Great Britain and the task before us is daunting," Bush said as members of the bipartisan commission testified about their report on Capitol Hill.
Blair said the terrorists' threat in Iraq is part of an old pattern that is region-wide. Terrorism "has basically come out of the Middle East" and must be addressed in a way that includes a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, he said.

Commentary by Herb A Krantz


Finally our so called president has seen the light.
We are in trouble in Iraq. It is a no win war.
As far as I am concern it was a war caused by Bush, and only to get back because of the treats against he father’s life.
This president is either the dumbest person or the most arrogant person in modern political history of our time.
He said that he was disappointed in the way the war is going, but he did not have a plan going in! He just wanted to invade. He refuses to talk with Iran and Syria. If there is going to be any movement we have to deal with the devils,( I have no love for either of them especially being a Jewish American), Bush gave us no alternative. It’s time he realizes that.
He has two more years to deal with this problem. This problem will be around to be solving for the next ten presidents.
Bush will have to brake down and asks the United Nations for help, (even thought I think that origination should be dissolved). We can not do it all ourselves. We do not have the people power to keep it up without a draft and maybe not even then.
Bush still doesn’t seeing the whole picture when he said we are not going as fast as he hoped but still not as bad as what others say. He is waiting for other reports which will still be as bad as this one.
What the hell is this asshole waiting for? Every day he keeps his blinders on more of our troop's die in vain with no real purpose in there mission except to keep themselves alive.
Bush we can not leave these young men and woman dangling there while you scratch your head and decide what to do.
As I have said many times before give this war over to the military and let them fight this war. Maybe then we will have a chance of winning or accomplishing something.
Hire some retired general like Powel to handle the negations between all parties involved.
You need someone with respect of the USA and the world to achieve a successful end to this war.
Let’s face it there is no one here or overseas that really has a lot of faith or trust in you bush.


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