The White House plans to use a report next month assessing progress in Iraq to outline a plan for gradual troop reductions beginning next year that would fall far short of the drawdown demanded by Congressional opponents of the war, according to administration and military officials.<\/p>\n
One administration official made it clear that the goal of the planned announcement was to counter public pressure for a more rapid reduction and to try to win support for a plan that could keep American involvement in Iraq on \u201ca sustainable footing\u201d\u009d at least through the end of the Bush presidency.<\/p>\n
The officials said the White House would portray its approach as a new strategy for Iraq, a message aimed primarily at the growing numbers of Congressional Republicans who have criticized President Bush\u2019s handling of the war. Many Republicans have urged Mr. Bush to unveil a new strategy, and even to propose a gradual reduction of American troops to the levels before this year\u2019s troop increase \u201d\u201d about 130,000 \u201d\u201d or even lower to head off Democratic-led efforts to force the withdrawal of all combat forces by early next year.<\/p>\n
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of their reluctance to discuss internal White House deliberations publicly.<\/p>\n