President snubs opponents of Iraq plan

Washington, Jan 27 (UNI) US President George W Bush has snubbed opponents of his new Iraq plan which seeks to dispatch 21,500 additional US troops to Iraq, making it clear that, he was ''the decision-maker" on the war efforts.

"I've picked the plan that I think is most likely to succeed," President Bush told newspersons yesterday after a meeting with his senior military advisers including Defence Secretary Robert Gates and Lt Gen David H Petraeus, who will head the US forces in Iraq.

The Senate unanimously confirmed that General Petraeus will head the mission even as his confirmation was disapproved by the Democrats and some law-makers of President Bush's Republican Party.

The full Senate voted 81-0 to endorse his nomination after less than an hour of debate.

Gen Petraeus is one of the US military's most experienced field commanders and this is his third tour of duty in Iraq.

Recognising the vehement opposition to his plan to deploy additional troops in Iraq, President Bush said he was confident it would help improve the deteriorating security situation in Iraq.

Most of the additional troops will be deployed in Baghdad.

'' Most people understand the consequences of failure (in Iraq). And if failure is not an option, then it's up to the president to come up with a plan that is more likely to succeed.

I have spent a lot of time on the subject because I understand how serious the issue is and the plan I outlined to the American people is one that I believe can succeed.'' the President said.

Later, at a separate press conference, Defence Secretary Gates confirmed there was no new policy on targeting Iranian operatives in Iraq as was reported in a section of the media. He said US forces would target any foreign fighter which tried to attack them.

Mr Gates said he was particularly concerned about Iranian help in the development and construction of sophisticated, high-powered bombs that have been the main killer of US forces.

He said US forces were trying to uproot the networks planting such devices, responsible for 70 per cent of American casualties.

The Defence Secretary said the plan to increase US naval presence in the Persian Gulf region was intended to make it clear to US allies and adversaries that "stability in the region is important to the United States''.

UNI