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US senators attack Bush Iraq plan US senators attack Bush Iraq plan
(about 3 hours later)
Senior US legislators from both parties have attacked President George W Bush's plans to send more than 20,000 extra troops to Iraq.Senior US legislators from both parties have attacked President George W Bush's plans to send more than 20,000 extra troops to Iraq.
Democrat Senator Joseph Biden called the move a "tragic mistake", while Republican Senator Chuck Hagel said Mr Bush had committed a dangerous blunder.Democrat Senator Joseph Biden called the move a "tragic mistake", while Republican Senator Chuck Hagel said Mr Bush had committed a dangerous blunder.
The announcement was part of Mr Bush's new strategy for tackling the conflict.The announcement was part of Mr Bush's new strategy for tackling the conflict.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates meanwhile will defend the plan before a hostile Congressional committee later.US Defence Secretary Robert Gates meanwhile will defend the plan before a hostile Congressional committee later.
On Thursday Mr Gates unveiled plans to boost troop numbers by 92,000 over five years, in an effort to increase the overall strength of the armed forces.On Thursday Mr Gates unveiled plans to boost troop numbers by 92,000 over five years, in an effort to increase the overall strength of the armed forces.
The defence secretary, who testified before a committee in the House of Representatives on Thursday, will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Peter Pace.The defence secretary, who testified before a committee in the House of Representatives on Thursday, will appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Peter Pace.
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the two men will be pressed hard on the wisdom of sending extra troops to Baghdad and Gen Pace is likely to be asked why he appears to have changed his mind about a policy he did not back in the past.
The Democrats have promised a non-binding vote in both houses of Congress on the strategy.The Democrats have promised a non-binding vote in both houses of Congress on the strategy.
'Too costly''Too costly'
Mr Bush announced a "surge" force of 21,500 troops in a nationally televised speech on Wednesday night.Mr Bush announced a "surge" force of 21,500 troops in a nationally televised speech on Wednesday night.
I think this speech given last night by this president represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam if it's carried out Chuck HagelRepublican senator Reaction to Bush speech Excerpts of Bush speech But alongside criticism from Democrats - who now control both houses of Congress - several Republicans publicly expressed their disappointment.I think this speech given last night by this president represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam if it's carried out Chuck HagelRepublican senator Reaction to Bush speech Excerpts of Bush speech But alongside criticism from Democrats - who now control both houses of Congress - several Republicans publicly expressed their disappointment.
Loyalist Senator Norm Coleman said the cost in lives was "too great" to support Mr Bush's plan.Loyalist Senator Norm Coleman said the cost in lives was "too great" to support Mr Bush's plan.
Another Republican Senator, George Voinovich, told US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a committee hearing that he had finally lost faith in the president's Iraq policy.Another Republican Senator, George Voinovich, told US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a committee hearing that he had finally lost faith in the president's Iraq policy.
"I've gone along with the president on this and I've bought into his dream and at this stage of the game I just don't think its going to happen," he said."I've gone along with the president on this and I've bought into his dream and at this stage of the game I just don't think its going to happen," he said.
Sen Hagel said he thought the plan was a mistake.Sen Hagel said he thought the plan was a mistake.
Our troops will have a well-defined mission President George W Bush Bush speech at a glance Can new way forward work? Iraqis react to Bush speech "I think this speech given last night by this president represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam if it's carried out," he told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.Our troops will have a well-defined mission President George W Bush Bush speech at a glance Can new way forward work? Iraqis react to Bush speech "I think this speech given last night by this president represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam if it's carried out," he told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Mr Gates said the "surge" would probably last "months, not 18 months or two years."Mr Gates said the "surge" would probably last "months, not 18 months or two years."
He added that the US could revise its plan if Iraqi leaders failed to keep to its commitments.He added that the US could revise its plan if Iraqi leaders failed to keep to its commitments.
Plan for BaghdadPlan for Baghdad
In his TV address, Mr Bush said fresh troops in Iraq would help to secure Baghdad's streets as part of the new strategy.In his TV address, Mr Bush said fresh troops in Iraq would help to secure Baghdad's streets as part of the new strategy.
He said his country's commitment to Iraq was "not open-ended", and that he expected the government in Baghdad to fulfil its own promises.He said his country's commitment to Iraq was "not open-ended", and that he expected the government in Baghdad to fulfil its own promises.
Mr Bush said the situation in Iraq was unacceptable, and that responsibility for mistakes rested with him.Mr Bush said the situation in Iraq was unacceptable, and that responsibility for mistakes rested with him.
But the new troops, most of whom would be sent to Baghdad, would help secure neighbourhoods in the capital from insurgents, he said.But the new troops, most of whom would be sent to Baghdad, would help secure neighbourhoods in the capital from insurgents, he said.
He said the effort would succeed where previous operations had failed, because this time troop levels would be sufficient to hold areas that had been cleared.He said the effort would succeed where previous operations had failed, because this time troop levels would be sufficient to hold areas that had been cleared.