Bush seeks to avoid confrontation on Iraq plan

Washington, Jan 10 (UNI) US President George W Bush is meeting Congressional leaders today apparently to avoid confrontation with the lawmakers over his proposed new Iraq strategy, envisaging induction of 20,000 additional troops to the 132,000-strong US force in Iraq.

He is scheduled to announce the long-awaited plan in a nationally televised address tonight. Most of the troops would be deployed in Baghdad and some in the volatile Western Anbar province. The process is expected to begin this month end.

The President is expected to call for turning over security in all provinces to Iraqi security forces by November. He is also expected to announce a one-billion dollar economic aid package for Iraq.

However, a large majority of Democratic lawmakers are opposed to the troops surge and they are holding a symbolic non-binding vote in both houses of Congress to force President Bush's Republican Party to take a stand on this sensitive issue.

Earlier, Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy introduced a legislation yesterday, making it obligatory for the President to seek congressional approval before dispatching more troops.

Sen Kennedy said an escalation in Iraq would needlessly endanger the US forces by injecting more of them into a civil war.

However, Republican Senator John McCain, who is also seeking his party's nomination for the net year presidential election, supports the idea of sending additional troops to Iraq, saying it will give the Baghdad government a fighting chance to pursue reconciliation.

The Democratic Party assumed control of the Congress on Novovember 7, 2006 ending over a decade long domination of the Republican Party.

UNI