GOOD NEWS (finally): Tours of duty in Iraq shortened
Tours of duty in Iraq shortened
Story Highlights
Bush shrinks deployments to 12 months from 15, starting Friday
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush on Thursday said combat tours in Iraq are being reduced from 15 months to 12 months beginning Friday.
'This relieves the burden on our forces, and it will make life easier for our wonderful military families,' Bush said during brief remarks at the White House.
Bush said there's a 'degree of durability' to the gains made in reducing violence in Iraq. He credited last year's increase in U.S. troop strength and the rising competency of Iraqi security forces.
The president praised Iraqi forces for purging Shiite extremists from Basra, Amarra and Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood. Watch how Bush assesses situation in Iraq »
As a result of these successes, U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker was able to walk through Sadr City last week, he said.
'That's something that would not have been possible just a few months ago,' Bush said.
He also noted political progress in Iraq, as the parliament has advanced legislation and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki recently completed a diplomatic trip to Europe.
U.S. troop reductions this year could continue if security holds, Bush said.
'We now have brought home all five of the combat brigades and the three Marine units that were sent to Iraq as part of the surge. The last of these surge brigades return home this month,' Bush said.
He said later in the year, Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, will provide 'recommendations on future troop levels, including further reductions in our combat forces as conditions permit.'
Still, 'we remain a nation at war,' Bush said. 'Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, but the terrorists remain dangerous and they are determined to strike our country and our allies again.'
Bush said the United States is 'making progress' in its discussions with Iraq 'on a strategic framework agreement,' which would 'serve as the foundation for America's presence in Iraq' once a U.N. mandate authorizing multinational forces expires at the end of the year.
The administration had hoped to forge an agreement by the end of July but both sides continue to negotiate.
Story Highlights
Bush shrinks deployments to 12 months from 15, starting Friday
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush on Thursday said combat tours in Iraq are being reduced from 15 months to 12 months beginning Friday.
'This relieves the burden on our forces, and it will make life easier for our wonderful military families,' Bush said during brief remarks at the White House.
Bush said there's a 'degree of durability' to the gains made in reducing violence in Iraq. He credited last year's increase in U.S. troop strength and the rising competency of Iraqi security forces.
The president praised Iraqi forces for purging Shiite extremists from Basra, Amarra and Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood. Watch how Bush assesses situation in Iraq »
As a result of these successes, U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker was able to walk through Sadr City last week, he said.
'That's something that would not have been possible just a few months ago,' Bush said.
He also noted political progress in Iraq, as the parliament has advanced legislation and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki recently completed a diplomatic trip to Europe.
U.S. troop reductions this year could continue if security holds, Bush said.
'We now have brought home all five of the combat brigades and the three Marine units that were sent to Iraq as part of the surge. The last of these surge brigades return home this month,' Bush said.
He said later in the year, Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, will provide 'recommendations on future troop levels, including further reductions in our combat forces as conditions permit.'
Still, 'we remain a nation at war,' Bush said. 'Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, but the terrorists remain dangerous and they are determined to strike our country and our allies again.'
Bush said the United States is 'making progress' in its discussions with Iraq 'on a strategic framework agreement,' which would 'serve as the foundation for America's presence in Iraq' once a U.N. mandate authorizing multinational forces expires at the end of the year.
The administration had hoped to forge an agreement by the end of July but both sides continue to negotiate.
