US President George Bush has told senior advisers that the US and its allies should make "a last big push" to win the war in Iraq and that instead of starting a withdrawal next year, he may boost American forces by up to 20,000 soldiers, according to sources familiar with the administration's internal deliberations.
According to the Guardian newspaper, Bush's stance "is having a decisive impact" on the policy review being conducted by the Iraq Study Group led by former secretary of state James Baker, the sources said. The panel's work is not complete, but its recommendations are projected to concentrate around a four-point "victory strategy" developed by Pentagon officials.
Point one of the strategy calls for an increase rather than a decrease in overall US force levels inside Iraq, possibly by as many as 20,000 soldiers. According to the British newspaper, the reinforcements will be used to secure Baghdad.
Point two of the plan highlights the importance of regional cooperation to the successful rehabilitation of Iraq.
Point three focuses on reviving the national reconciliation process between Shia, Sunni and other ethnic and religious parties.
Lastly, the sources said the study group recommendations will include a call for increased resources to be allocated by Congress to support additional troop deployments.
