Iraq will develop a timetable for political & security progress

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October has marked the deadliest month for US forces in Iraq this year, with 89 American service members killed in combat so far. But General Casey says the US military should continue to focus on drawing down US forces in the country.

Also on Tuesday, the White House confirmed that President Bush would no longer use the term "stay the course" when referring to the conflict in Iraq. During a recent campaign swing through Florida, Bush often used the phrase "constantly changing to defeat this enemy".

Key congressional elections are just two weeks away. And the White House wants to ease political anxiety about security in Iraq. But it publicly refuses to heed calls for a dramatic policy shift. The administration hopes to demonstrate progress in Iraq since the approaching elections are widely viewed as a referendum on the war.

Political analysts say that changing catch phrases to describe the war effort may not be enough to convince a skeptical electorate -- that policies in Iraq -- are still on the right track.

With violence in Iraq at staggering levels, the US has been pressing Iraq to improve security. Bush spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Monday, urging him to give the Iraqi army more authority to step up security. Bush also said he had NO plans to pull US forces out of the country. The US president also pledged his full support for the Iraqi government.

 

Editor:Sun Luying