U.S. defense secretary briefs Bush after Iraq trip

After returning from Iraq, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Saturday briefed President George W. Bush on his impressions about that country.

Fresh from his first visit to Iraq since taking over the Pentagon, Gates met with Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley and other officials for an hour at the presidential retreat in Camp David, Maryland, according to reports from the website of The Washington Post.

White House spokesman Blain K. Rethmeier said the president is pleased with the progress being made in the Iraq strategy review, but stopped short of going to the details of the briefing.

"The president is leaving all options on the table on the way forward," he said.

Bush had initially hoped to unveil a fresh approach to Iraq before Christmas, but he delayed a decision until the new year to give Gates a chance to educate himself and offer his own evaluation of the situation.

Gates, who was sworn in to succeed Donald H. Rumsfeld Monday, has privately been critical of the handling of the war and advocated ideas Bush has ruled out, such as talking with Iran and Syria.

The White House has been contemplating sending 15,000 to 30,000 more troops to Iraq, but the Joint Chiefs of Staff have resisted the idea unless a clear, achievable mission is defined.

The Los Angeles Times reported on Saturday that Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the top Iraq commander, has decided to recommend a so- called surge.

The White House and the Pentagon had no official comment on the report.

Later in the day, Bush used his weekly radio address to send Christmas greetings to U.S. troops in Iraq.

"I want our troops to know that while the coming year will bring change, one thing will not change, and that is our nation's support for you and the vital work you do to achieve a victory in Iraq," he said.

"The American people are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, and we will make sure you have the resources you need to accomplish your mission," he said.

Source: Xinhua