Bush justifies troop surge plan for Iraq

Washington, Feb 17: Soon after the Democrat-controlled US House of Representatives disapproved troop build-up plan in Iraq, US President George W Bush justified his decision to deploy an additional 21,500 American troops, saying it was integral for stability and security in the war-torn country.

After the House passed a non-binding resolution disapproving of the plan by 246 to 182 votes late last evening, Mr Bush said the new strategy was necessary in order to help the Iraqi government gain control over Baghdad and pursue reconciliation of communities in Iraq.

The White House insisted that Mr Bush's plan ''enjoys the support'' of the Iraqi government and US military leadership, including General David Petraeus, Commander of the multi-national force in Iraq, who was recently confirmed to his post by an 81-0 vote in the Senate.

However, majority Democrats call the vote, which came after four days of heated debate on the Iraq war that claimed lives of more than 3,000 American troops, a major step towards forcing a new direction on the country.

Some 17 Republicans crossed party lines to support the resolution, while two Democrats voted against the measure.

The House took up the measure after a similar resolution was stalled in the Senate over a procedural dispute.

Under the US Constitution, laws drafted by the Congress and approved by a simple majority require approval by the President. If the President rejects or vetoes a bill or resolution, the veto can only be overridden by a two-thirds majority of both Houses of Congress.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Lantos, who co-sponsored the resolution, said, ''The majority of Congress wants de-escalation. The majority of the American people want de-escalation. Many Republicans throughout the nation -- and even our Republican colleagues in this Congress -- want de-escalation.'' White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said the President would soon ask Congress for additional funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Congress should provide it to allow US forces to succeed in their mission, Mr Snow added.

The House resolution does not include any mention of funding for military operations in Iraq.

In principle, Congress has the power to eliminate or restrict funding for military deployments. Democratic Congressional leaders have indicated they may attach restrictions to the administration's 93 billion dollar Iraq war supplemental funding request when they take up the matter inext month.

Head of the the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defence John Murtha indicated his panel might restrict the Pentagon from deploying additional troops unless certain training and equipment requirements are met.

Mr Bush, however, warned Congressional leaders against taking such steps. ''I am going to make it very clear to members of the Congress, starting now, that they need to fund our troops and make sure we have the flexibility necessary to get the job done,'' he added.

UNI