Critics of troop rise must offer alternative: Bush

Washington, Jan 14: President George W Bush made clear hewould not back off his plan to send more troops to Iraq despitebipartisan hostility to the idea and he accused his critics of failingto offer an alternative.

Bush's announcement this week that he would add 21,500 troops inIraq to try to quell sectarian violence was greeted by scathingcriticism on Capitol Hill. The United States has about 130,000 troopsin Iraq now. The extra troops would go to Baghdad and the volatileAnbar province.

Democrats in Congress and even some Republicans, said they doubtedthe plan would work, given that past force increases failed to halt thebloodshed and that it relied heavily on the Iraqi government to comethrough on commitments it previously had not met.

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

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

Many Democrats want to see a phased withdrawal of US troops beginning within a few months.

Bush insisted that as part of his strategy, he would hold theIraqi government to benchmarks it has set, including takingresponsibility for security in all provinces by November.

Democratic congressional leaders are pushing for a resolutionopposing a troop increase and hope to garner enough Republican supportto leave Bush politically isolated. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reidintends to bring a vote on the resolution to the Senate floor next week.

First Brigades Arriving Soon

Many in Congress acknowledge theyhave few options for halting Bush's strategy short of cutting offfunds. Many lawmakers appear reluctant to take that step and the WhiteHouse is already moving ahead with the increase, with the first of fiveadditional brigades to Baghdad scheduled to arrive within days. Otherbrigades are to be sent in waves over the next few months.

Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. John Murtha, who heads a House paneloverseeing defense spending, said he would try to attach restrictionsto a 100 billion dollars request for new war money Bush will send toCongress in February. The proposal might prohibit the use of the moneyfor more troops or tie the funding to the closure of the militaryprison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Bush said a cutoff in funding should not even be consideredbecause such a debate would undercut soldiers. ''Our brave troopsshould not have to wonder if their leaders in Washington will give themwhat they need,'' he said yesterday.

In an interview with CBS this week, Bush vowed to press ahead withthe troop increase, regardless of whether Congress tried to block it.

''I fully understand (Congress) could try to stop me from doingit,'' Bush said. ''But I made my decision -- we're going forward.''

Reuters

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