WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- President Bush wished the new commander of U.S. forces in Iraq "Godspeed" Friday and ordered him to Baghdad.
"My instruction to the general is to get over to the zone as quickly as possible and implement a plan that we believe will yield our goals," Bush said.
"... You're going into an important battle in this war on terror. I give you my full support and wish you Godspeed."
Army Gen. David Pataeus, who served in Iraq earlier as head of the 101st Airborne, was confirmed by the Senate in his new role Friday morning while he was in a meeting with Bush and other top military leaders. The biggest challenge of his assignment will be to help Iraqi troops bring stability to Baghdad and surrounding provinces.
As the new commander he will supervise the utilization of 21,500 new troops the president has ordered to Iraq to help in that effort.
That troop deployment has come under heavy fire on Capitol Hill, where a number of resolutions condemning the move are being hammered out among Democrats and Republicans.
"I know there is skepticism and pessimism, and that there are -- some condemning a plan before it even has a chance to work," Bush said. "And they have a serious responsibility, therefore, to put up their own plan as to what would work."
Bush emphasized he decided on his plan after consultations with military experts, lawmakers and others.
Bush's new strategy for Iraq, in addition to new troops to help secure the capital, includes increased pressure on the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to take over security in the country and implement reforms and other measures to promote national reconcilation among ethnic and religious groups.
