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The White House on Friday urged the participants in the discussion about the future of a U.S. military presence in Iraq to hold their breath until after the status report from Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker. President Bush’s spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters that he expects different people to come forward with a multitude of opinions and recommendations leading up to the Sept. 15 report to Congress. “The most important thing is to wait for General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker to return from Baghdad and make their report to Congress, the president and the American people,” he said. Johndroe added that Bush would listen to “generals on the ground, Ambassador Crocker, [Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates], and also members of Congress, take in everything that they have to say, and then make recommendations on the way ahead.” He also commented on a statement from Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.), the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, who had indicated earlier in the day that it might not be possible to bring a western-style democracy to Iraq. Johndroe responded that the Iraqis have a democracy, adding that the “immediate goal” is to “bring security and stability, and for the Iraqi political leaders to come together and forge some agreements so this national unity government can work together for the better of all Iraqis.” |
