US President George W. Bush was yesterday set to address Americans on his long-awaited new plan for Iraq, which will be highlighted by a "surge" of 20,000 troops.
Fierce political debate is already raging on the strategy, which also reportedly includes benchmarks to compel Iraq's government to take steps on political reconciliation and economic aid reportedly worth US$1 billion.
shuffle
Bush has already shuffled the deck in his military command for Iraq, and tinkered with his national security team.
Bush will send an extra 20,000 troops into Iraq, a US official said on condition of anonymity, though cautioned that not all soldiers will go in at once. Most will end up trying to clamp security on Baghdad. Another official said Iraqi security forces would be expected to assume "operational control" of Iraq by November. Democrats however have demanded a troop withdrawal to start within four to six months.
The Iraqi government will be given a series of "benchmarks" to force action, the New York Times reported. Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will be required to draw more Sunnis into political life in Baghdad, conclude a measure on distribution of oil revenue and ease curbs on former members of former president Saddam Hussein's Baath Party, the report said.
Bush will also reportedly announce a new jobs program for Iraq worth up to US$1 billion and be part of a new anti-insurgency strategy. Iraqis to be offered work cleaning up secured areas to drain the militia's recruiting pool.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice heads to the Middle East tomorrow to sell the new US strategy to wary allies and make another bid at reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. Bush has signaled he will not talk to Syria and Iran, as suggested by the independent Iraq Study Group last month.
Bush laid groundwork for a new strategy by overhauling his chain of command in Iraq. Former secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld was replaced by Robert Gates. Lieutenant General David Petraeus, seen as open to a troop surge, will replace General George Casey as top officer in Iraq.
General John Abizaid, head of crucial Central Command, will retire and hand over to Admiral William Fallon.
Bush also made intelligence czar John Negroponte, the first post-war US ambassador to Iraq, Deputy Secretary of State. The new director of national intelligence will be the experienced spy master Michael McConnell.
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