Bush talks of necessary changes in Iraq policy

Washington, Oct 22: Amid mounting criticism of his Iraq policy, United States President George W Bush has promised to make ''necessary changes'' in Iraq, barely two weeks before the mid-term elections in which his Republican party may lose control of the House of Representatives.

In his weekly radio address yesterday, he described the US tactics in Iraq as constantly evolving one, but asserted that the goal of defeating terrorists and insurgents remained the same.

Recent public opinion polls indicate the opposition Democratic Party will gain control of the House in the November 7 election, ending the decade-long Republican dominance. Some analysts even say that Republican control of the Senate is also in doubt.

Mr Bush admitted that recent weeks had been ''rough'' for the US forces in Iraq, but he also said retreat was not an option.

He, however, said, ''our goal in Iraq is clear and unchanging: Our goal is victory. What is changing are the tactics we use to achieve that goal. Our commanders on the ground are constantly adjusting their approach to stay ahead of the enemy, particularly in Baghdad.'' Earlier, President Bush and his senior aides, including Vice President Dick Cheney, and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, discussed Iraq strategy with the military commanders. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace also participated.

Mr Bush acknowledged that violent attacks ''have grown significantly during the first weeks' of the Muslim holy month of Ramzan'' and partly attributed the increase to ''focused operations'' in the Iraqi capital.

About 80 American troops have been killed in Iraq this month alone. Over 2,700 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since 2003.

UNI