Powell casts doubt on troop increase

WASHINGTON – Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is casting doubt on a plan under consideration by President George W Bush that would increase troops in Iraq, calling the US Army overextended and ‘about broken.’ The incoming Senate majority leader, however, offered qualified support for a troop surge, saying it would be acceptable for a few months as part of a broader strategy to bring combat forces home by 2008.

“If the commanders on the ground said this is just for a short period of time, we’ll go along with that,” said Democratic Senator Harry Reid, citing a time frame such as two months to three months. But a period of 18 months to 24 months would be too long, he said.Bush is reviewing options for a change of course in Iraq and plans to address the nation in early January.On Sunday, Iraq’s Sunni vice president called for more American soldiers in Baghdad to quell sectarian violence – even though the Shi’ite-dominated government has proposed shifting US troops to the capital’s periphery and having Iraqis assume primary responsibility for security in the city.”Who is going to replace the American troops?” asked Tariq al-Hashemi, who met with Bush in Washington last week.”Iraqi troops, across the board, they are insufficient, incompetent, and many of them corrupted.”There are about 140 000 US troops in Iraq and about 5 000 advisers.Combat troops make up less than half of US forces in Iraq.Powell said if more troops were proposed, commanders would have to make their mission clear and what size force is appropriate.Nampa-APBut a period of 18 months to 24 months would be too long, he said.Bush is reviewing options for a change of course in Iraq and plans to address the nation in early January.On Sunday, Iraq’s Sunni vice president called for more American soldiers in Baghdad to quell sectarian violence – even though the Shi’ite-dominated government has proposed shifting US troops to the capital’s periphery and having Iraqis assume primary responsibility for security in the city.”Who is going to replace the American troops?” asked Tariq al-Hashemi, who met with Bush in Washington last week.”Iraqi troops, across the board, they are insufficient, incompetent, and many of them corrupted.”There are about 140 000 US troops in Iraq and about 5 000 advisers.Combat troops make up less than half of US forces in Iraq.Powell said if more troops were proposed, commanders would have to make their mission clear and what size force is appropriate.Nampa-AP