Defense Secretary Shares Post-Trip Impressions as Strategy Review Continues
By Peter Baker and Thomas E. Ricks
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, December 24, 2006; A08
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates headed to Camp David yesterday to brief President Bush and his national security team on his impressions from Iraq as the administration accelerated a debate over a proposed short-term escalation in troop levels to turn around the war.
Gates brought back from Baghdad a plan put forth by Iraqi leaders that would redefine the U.S. mission to focus more on fighting Sunni insurgents while the Shiite-led government tries to contain Shiite militias. He also brought back views from U.S. commanders on the ground, who have said publicly that they are open to a so-called surge in troops if their mission is clearly defined.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff have resisted additional troops unless a clear, achievable mission is defined and believe the White House is putting forward an ill-conceived idea in a desperate bid to salvage the situation. The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the top commanders in Iraq, have decided to recommend the surge, a position that if true could make it easier for Bush to go forward even if Pentagon generals remain unenthusiastic.
It was unclear, however, whether Casey was genuinely supporting a buildup or simply restating privately what he has already said publicly. "I'm not necessarily opposed to the idea," if sending more troops would help achieve strategic objectives, he said at a Baghdad news conference with Gates last week.
The White House and Pentagon officially had no comment. A Pentagon official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions, said it would be an exaggeration to say that Casey is pushing for additional troops.
"To say that Casey wants more forces, that isn't the case," the official said. Indeed, he said, Casey told Gates in Iraq that an infusion of U.S. forces would not help him politically with the Iraqi government and could impede reconciliation efforts.
"Casey's position all along has been, 'If you want to put additional forces in, I'm not opposed to that -- if it serves the strategic purpose, which is to put Iraqis in the lead,' " the official said.
Casey and Gates agreed that under the current "clear, hold and build" approach, more U.S. troops would be useful only as part of a broader reconstruction effort to hold areas after they have been cleared. This would involve immediate work such as garbage removal, followed by infrastructure projects.
Gates met for an hour at the presidential retreat with Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley and deputy national security adviser J.D. Crouch II.
"The president is pleased with the progress being made" in the strategy review, White House spokesman Blain K. Rethmeier said. He declined to discuss the briefing in detail.
During his trip, Gates was presented a two-pronged plan by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in which U.S. forces would target Sunni insurgents in Baghdad's outer neighborhoods instead of Shiite militias while Iraqi forces would take over security of the city center. Maliki would work to contain his fellow Shiite, Moqtada al-Sadr and his Mahdi Army militia. Under the plan, Maliki would accept an increase in U.S. troops in Baghdad.
Bush had hoped to unveil a fresh approach to Iraq before Christmas but delayed a decision until next month so Gates could make his own evaluation. Gates, who was sworn in to succeed Donald H. Rumsfeld on Monday, had privately been critical of the war. The National Security Council will meet again Thursday at Bush's ranch near Crawford, Tex.
Bush used his weekly radio address to pay tribute to troops serving far from families at Christmas.
"I want our troops to know that while the coming year will bring change, one thing will not change, and that is our nation's support for you and the vital work you do to achieve a victory in Iraq," he said. "The American people are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, and we will make sure you have the resources you need to accomplish your mission."