Bush to unveil new Iraq strategy document
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-30 20:36

President Bush confronted doubts about his war policy Wednesday, asserting that more Iraqi security forces are taking the lead in battle but saying it's still uncertain when U.S. forces can be withdrawn.

President Bush speaks at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2005, during a $1,000 a plate fund-raiser for Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo. [AP]

"No war has ever been won on a timetable," according to a new White House strategy document.

Facing criticism and impatience about the conflict, Bush went on the offensive with the release of a 35-page plan titled "Our National Strategy for Victory in Iraq."

The plan says increasing numbers of Iraqi troops have been equipped and trained, a democratic government is being forged, Iraq's economy is being rebuilt and U.S. military and civilian presence will change as conditions improve.

"We expect, but cannot guarantee that our force posture will change over the next year, as the political process advances and Iraqi security forces grow and gain experience," the report said. "While our military presence may become less visible, it will remain lethal and decisive, able to confront the enemy wherever it may organize."

Along with the report, Bush is making a personal appeal to shore up wavering support for the war in remarks Wednesday at the U.S. Naval Academy. It's the first in a series of speeches Bush is delivering between now and the Dec. 15 election in Iraq to outline political, security and economic strategies for Iraq.

In the first one, Bush will focus on the training of Iraqi security forces, explaining setbacks U.S. forces have encountered and improvements that have been made, as well as detailing areas now under Iraqi control, a senior White House official said, insisting on anonymity because the president's address has not been released.

Bush's emphasis on the readiness of Iraqi security forces comes at a time when continued violence in Iraq and the death of more than 2,000 U.S. troops have contributed to a sharp drop in Bush's popularity.