Bush rejects pullout timetable
22/01/2007 15:20  - (SA)  

Iraqi PM 'told US to withdraw' US troop deaths surge in Iraq Bush has 'damaged the world' Hillary rejects Bush plan Al-Qaeda predicts US defeat Embattled Bush warns critics Bush rejects calls for pullout

Washington - US President George W Bush on Monday distanced himself from predictions US troops could begin leaving Iraq by late summer, stating bluntly he would accept no timetable for such a pullout.

"We don't set timetables in this administration because an enemy will adjust their tactics based upon perceived action by the United States," Bush told the USA Today newspaper.

The comment signalled a stiffening of his position ahead of a brewing confrontation with Democratic-controlled congress, which is juggling proposals to begin "redeploying" 132 000 US troops from Iraq in four to six months.

It also followed a prediction made last week by the US commander of coalition forces in Iraq, General George Casey, who indicated that reinforcements currently being sent to Iraq could begin leaving the country by August or September.

Flanked by visiting defence secretary Robert Gates, the general told reporters, "I believe the projections are late summer," provided security in Baghdad showed signs of steady improvement.

But Bush, whose interview was published after 25 US servicemen lost their lives on Saturday in one of the deadliest days since the March 2003 invasion, stopped short of repeating the same assurance.

In fact, he refused to rule out US forces remaining in Iraq even after January 20, 2009, when a new president will take over from him.

"This will be a long struggle," he remarked when asked if Iraq was going to be a problem for his successor.

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