Gates to urge boosting US military by 92,000

WASHINGTON, Jan 11 (Reuters) US Defense Secretary Robert Gates today said he would recommend to President George W. Bush increasing the Army and Marine Corps by 92,000 troops over the next five years for the long-term fight against terrorism.

''The emphasis will be on increasing combat capability,'' Gates said at a White House news conference to detail Bush's plan for changing course in the Iraq war.

In unveiling his strategy yesterday night to send more than 21,000 more troops to fight in Iraq, Bush said a permanent increase was needed for the two services.

The Army, which has had trouble meeting its recruiting goals in recent years, already has been authorized to boost the number of active-duty soldiers temporarily from 482,000 to a maximum of 512,000, although it has yet to reach that limit.

Gates proposed increasing the Army by 65,000 soldiers and 27,000 Marines.

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