US troops in Iraq for another three years

George Bush yesterday raised the vision of an American troop presence in Iraq that would extend for the next three years, an admission that a US withdrawal was unlikely during his term in the White House.

With US forces entering their fourth year in the country since the invasion, Mr Bush's comments suggest he foresees a longer military commitment in Iraq than that experienced by troops in the second world war or the Korean war.

Asked at a White House press conference whether he could foresee a complete withdrawal from Iraq, Mr Bush held out little hope. "That will be decided by future presidents and future governments of Iraq", Mr Bush told reporters.

He added later: "I'm optimistic we'll succeed. If not, I'd pull our troops out."

It's nothing short of astonishing that the man who, in 2003, declared "Mission Accomplished" now concedes that the situation will not be resolved during the lifetime of his Presidency.

What an utter abdication of responsibility. I'm seriously not being facetious when I say I believe he will be remembered as the worst US President of all time.

Related Articles:

The President was asked whether there will come a day when there would be no more US soldiers in Iraq. He replied: "That is an objective. That will be decided by future presidents and future governments of Iraq."