Bush critics of troop rise must offer alternative

WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) President George W Bush made clear today that he would not back off his plan to send more troops to Iraq despite bipartisan hostility to the idea, and he accused his critics of failing to offer an alternative.

Bush's announcement this week he would add 21,500 troops to US forces in Iraq to try to quell sectarian violence was greeted with scathing criticism on Capitol Hill. The United States has about 130,000 troops there now, and the extra troops would go to Baghdad and the volatile Anbar province.

Democrats in Congress and some Republicans said they doubted the plan would work, given that past increases in force strength did not halt the bloodshed and its reliance on the Iraqi government to come through on pledges it previously failed to meet.

Congressional Democrats were swept to power in November elections widely seen as a referendum on the unpopular war.

''We recognize that many members of Congress are skeptical,'' Bush said in his weekly radio address. ''Members of Congress have a right to express their views, and express them forcefully.'' ''But those who refuse to give this plan a chance to work have an obligation to offer an alternative that has a better chance for success. To oppose everything while proposing nothing is irresponsible,'' he said.

Many Democrats favor a phased withdrawal of US troops beginning within a few months and in their own radio address, they labeled the troop increase ''misguided.'' ''It is a step in the wrong direction -- more of the same at the very time when we need a new direction in Iraq,'' said Rep. Tim Walz, a freshman Minnesota Democrat who delivered the address on behalf of his party.

FLOOR VOTE Congressional Democrats are pushing for a resolution opposing the troop increase and hope to garner enough Republican support to isolate Bush. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid intends to seek a floor vote on the resolution next week.

In a sign of his determination to shore up support within his own party, Bush hosted several top Republican lawmakers at the mountain presidential retreat at Camp David.

''They will be discussing shared priorities, including national security and the economy,'' said White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore. But she said the visit was also social. Bush dined with lawmakers yesterday night and they were to leave Camp David today after lunch.

Even many Democrats acknowledge Congress has few options for halting Bush's strategy short of cutting off funds. Many lawmakers are wary of taking that step and the White House is already moving ahead with the increase, with the first of five additional brigades to Baghdad set to arrive within days. Other brigades will be sent in waves over the next few months.

Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. John Murtha, who heads a House panel overseeing defense spending, said he would try to attach restrictions to a 100 billion dollar request for new war money Bush will send to Congress in February. The proposal might prohibit the use of the money for more troops or tie the funding to the closure of the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Bush said a cutoff in funding should not even be considered because such a debate would undercut soldiers. ''Our brave troops should not have to wonder if their leaders in Washington will give them what they need,'' he said.

But Walz, a veteran of an Army National Guard Unit whose soldiers were just notified of an extension of their tours in Iraq, said Congress owed it to the troops to challenge ''the failed policies that have already cost us so dearly.'' ''Our military men and women know that it is their duty to execute their mission without question,'' Walz said. ''But so too is it our duty to question the mission on their behalf.'' Reuters AB GC2235