WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- President Bush Tuesday predicted a slight decrease in U.S. troops in Iraq by spring.
U.S. troop levels will be reduced by two brigades to several thousand below the pre-election baseline of 138,000, Bush told a Veterans of Foreign Wars conference in Washington.
In addition, extra troops sent to Iraq to help maintain stability during national elections in December -- about 20,000 -- would also be redeployed in the weeks and months ahead.
"Later this year, if Iraqis continue to make progress on the security and political sides, we -- we expect to discuss further possible adjustments with the leaders of Iraq's new government," Bush said. "Having said this, all my decisions will be based on conditions on the ground, not artificial timetables set by Washington politicians."
Bush said the United States would increase its focus on training various police forces to augment Iraqi army units capable of conducting their own operations and that handover of territorial responsibility would continue as warranted.
. "We will continue to hand over territory to the Iraqis so they can defend their democracy, so they can do the hard work. Our troops will be -- be able to come home with the honor they have earned. I've said that our strategy in Iraq can be summed up this way: As the Iraqis stand up, we will stand down."
The speech explaining the goals and accomplishments of the U.S. mission in Iraq was the latest in a string of appearances since late last year designed to alleviate growing public anxiety over the conflict and derail calls by some on Capitol Hill for a withdrawal of forces.
In his remarks the president said bluntly that there was still a rough road ahead in 2006, but progress was being made and the American people must not cut and run.
