WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 U.S. President George W. Bush Thursday called upon the nation to support his "return on success" principle regarding troop levels in Iraq.
Bush's plan, based on Army Gen. David Petraeus' recommendation to reduce combat troop levels to pre-surge numbers, "makes it possible, for the first time in years, for people who have been on opposite sides of this difficult debate to come together," Bush said during a prime time address from the Oval Office.
Excerpts of his speech were made available by the White House.
Among the recommendations Petraeus made would be a transition from U.S. troops leading operations to partnering with Iraqi forces, and eventually moving to an oversight role, according to a fact sheet on the "Return on Success" guide for troop levels, which also outlines a reduction to pre-surge levels by mid-July 2008.
Achieving security and political success will take time, Bush said. But "a free Iraq is critical to the security of the United States."
"Realizing this vision (of a free Iraq) will be difficult," he said, "but it is achievable."
Military leaders and diplomats believe success is attainable, Bush said.
"And for the safety of future generations of Americans, we must succeed," he said.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
