Bush disappoints media says US will stay in Iraq

Washington Post:

President Bush, rejecting what he called "pessimistic" assessments of his Middle East policy, pledged Tuesday to make necessary changes in Iraq but vowed never to pull out U.S. troops before completing the mission there.

Before flying to Latvia, Bush said in Estonia Tuesday morning that he would press Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for a plan to contain the country's escalating sectarian violence, although he refused to characterize the situation in Iraq as a civil war.

Previewing the message he will carry with him Wednesday to Amman, Jordan, where he is scheduled to meet Maliki, Bush said he would ask the Iraqi leader, "What do we need to do to succeed? What is your strategy in dealing with the sectarian violence?"

In a speech at Latvia University during a visit to the Baltic nation to confer with leaders of other NATO member states, Bush also said he would discuss with Maliki "our ongoing efforts to transfer more responsibility to the Iraqi security forces and the responsibility of other nations in the region to support the security and stability of Iraq."

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Well at least Maliki can prepare for the quiz. The media on the other hand has had its hopes dashed and he want even agree with them on it being a civil war. I am sure the search for gloom and doom will continue though.