Last update - 00:00 03/09/2007
Bush makes surprise visit to Iraq, rules out hasty decision on troop levels
By Reuters
U.S. President George W. Bush said Monday any reduction in U.S. troop numbers in Iraq would be based on calm military assessments and not the nervous reaction of politicians in Washington.
Bush was addressing troops on a visit to Iraq to meet U.S. commander General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker for a final review of the war before a showdown in Congress over troop levels.
"Those decisions (on troop levels) will be based on a calm assessment by military commanders on conditions on the ground, not a nervous reaction by Washington politicians to poll results and the media," said Bush.
"In other words when we begin to draw down troops from Iraq it will be from a position of strength and success, not from a position of fear and failure."
Bush said in his address at a U.S. air base in Iraq's western Anbar province that to do otherwise would make it more likely the United States would be attacked at home.
He said U.S. military efforts had turned Anbar province into a success story against insurgents.
"Anbar is a huge province. It was once written off as lost. It is now one of the safest places in Iraq," said Bush.
"You are denying Al-Qaida a safe haven from which to plot and plan and carry out attacks against the United States of America," he told the troops.