ANNAPOLIS, Md., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush said settling an "artificial deadline" to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq is not a plan for victory.
Wednesday's talk, at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., was the first in a series of talks about Bush administration's Iraq strategy. The White House said the talks will center on eight strategic objectives. Bush Wednesday focused on one -- "Transition Iraq to Security Self-Reliance."
The president outlined the gains made by Iraqi security forces, both in training and in on-the-ground success, but he said U.S. forces would not leave the country until U.S. military commanders determine the country can defend itself.
"As Iraqi forces gain experience and the (Iraqi) political process advances we will be able to decrease troop levels in Iraq without losing our capability to defeat the terrorists," Bush said. "These decisions about troop levels will be driven by the conditions on the ground in Iraq and the good judgment of our commanders. Not by artificial timetables set by politicians in Washington."
Bush said setting such a deadline "would send a message across the world that America is weak and an unreliable ally" and would invite addition attacks on the United States.
The White House has posted a lengthy document titled "National Strategy for Victory in Iraq" on its Web site.
