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'No timetable' for Iraq progress 'No timetable' for Iraq progress
(40 minutes later)
The US defence secretary has said there is no timetable for Iraq to prove it has fulfilled commitments required by the US in President Bush's new plan.The US defence secretary has said there is no timetable for Iraq to prove it has fulfilled commitments required by the US in President Bush's new plan.
But Robert Gates said the US would have a "good idea" of the Iraqi government's success before many new troops went in.But Robert Gates said the US would have a "good idea" of the Iraqi government's success before many new troops went in.
He also told a Senate hearing there should be no announcement of a troop pullout as, in his words, the enemy would then just wait the time out.He also told a Senate hearing there should be no announcement of a troop pullout as, in his words, the enemy would then just wait the time out.
The hearing comes as criticism grows of Mr Bush's move to boost troops in Iraq.The hearing comes as criticism grows of Mr Bush's move to boost troops in Iraq.
Mr Bush plans to send at least 20,000 more troops, saying it will help bring security to Baghdad's streets.Mr Bush plans to send at least 20,000 more troops, saying it will help bring security to Baghdad's streets.
But Democrats and some Republicans have spoken out strongly against the move.
Mr Bush and his top officials have been working to convince sceptical lawmakers of the merits of the new strategy.
'Sound plan''Sound plan'
Mr Gates, who on Thursday appeared before the House Armed Services Committee, is facing the Senate Armed Services Committee together with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Peter Pace. Mr Gates is facing the Senate Armed Services Committee together with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Peter Pace.
I think that any time you announce a specific deadline ... for departing in a situation as volatile as this, you basically give your adversaries the confidence that all they have to do is wait you out Robert Gates Can new way forward work? UK 'faces big decision' Press savages Bush planI think that any time you announce a specific deadline ... for departing in a situation as volatile as this, you basically give your adversaries the confidence that all they have to do is wait you out Robert Gates Can new way forward work? UK 'faces big decision' Press savages Bush plan
But he appears to have had a less hostile reception in the Senate than Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was grilled by the Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday.
Florida Senator Bill Nelson put this down to the fact that Mr Gates was a "breath of fresh air", having only joined the Bush administration in December.
In his opening statements, Mr Gates acknowledged widespread concern over the strategy.In his opening statements, Mr Gates acknowledged widespread concern over the strategy.
But he emphasised that US military commanders on the ground in Iraq backed the president's plan.But he emphasised that US military commanders on the ground in Iraq backed the president's plan.
"They believe it is a sound plan that can work - if the Iraqi government follows through on its commitments," he said."They believe it is a sound plan that can work - if the Iraqi government follows through on its commitments," he said.
Responding to questions, he said the new troops would be sent in gradually.Responding to questions, he said the new troops would be sent in gradually.
One brigade will go in the middle of this month. A second brigade won't go until the middle of next month," he said.One brigade will go in the middle of this month. A second brigade won't go until the middle of next month," he said.
I think this speech... represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam if it's carried out Chuck HagelRepublican senator Bush speech at a glance Reaction to Bush speech For America to supply more troops while the Iraqi leaders simply supply more promises is not a recipe for success in Iraq Carl LevinCommittee chairman Bush speech at a glance Reaction to Bush speech
"And then they will flow at roughly monthly intervals, so that after we have sent in just two or three of the brigades, I think we will... have a pretty good idea whether at least on the military side the Iraqis have stepped up to the plate in terms of fulfilling their commitments."And then they will flow at roughly monthly intervals, so that after we have sent in just two or three of the brigades, I think we will... have a pretty good idea whether at least on the military side the Iraqis have stepped up to the plate in terms of fulfilling their commitments.
But Mr Gates did not say what the US would do if the Iraqi government failed to meet the commitments.
The defence secretary also ruled out announcing a timetable for an eventual troop withdrawal.The defence secretary also ruled out announcing a timetable for an eventual troop withdrawal.
"I think that any time you announce a specific deadline or specific time-line for departing in a situation as volatile as this, you basically give your adversaries the confidence that all they have to do is wait you out," he said."I think that any time you announce a specific deadline or specific time-line for departing in a situation as volatile as this, you basically give your adversaries the confidence that all they have to do is wait you out," he said.
'Positive results' But both Democrats and Republicans have continued to criticise the strategy.
Democrat Senator Carl Levin, the committee chairman, said he opposed sending in more troops "without condition, without limitation".
"For America to supply more troops while the Iraqi leaders simply supply more promises is not a recipe for success in Iraq," he said.
Disappointment
The hearing also sought to address concerns about possible military action against Iran.
Gen Pace denied that President Bush's promise to tackle Tehran's interference in Iraq would lead to US military operations inside Iran.
"From a military standpoint, no need to cross the Iranian border," he said.
Mr Bush made his announcement of a "surge" force of troops in a televised speech on Wednesday.Mr Bush made his announcement of a "surge" force of troops in a televised speech on Wednesday.
Alongside criticism from Democrats - who now control both houses of Congress - several Republicans have publicly expressed their disappointment with the move, which runs counter to recommendations by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group.Alongside criticism from Democrats - who now control both houses of Congress - several Republicans have publicly expressed their disappointment with the move, which runs counter to recommendations by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group.
Republican Senator Chuck Hagel described it as "the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam".
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.