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Key US Senators Reach Deal on Iraq Resolution


Key Democratic and Republican senators who oppose President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq have reached a deal on a non-binding resolution against the increase.

The deal is based on an amended resolution sponsored by John Warner, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and supported by Democrat Carl Levin.

The new text drops a clause suggesting Senate support for some additional troops, and adds a pledge to protect funding for troops already serving in Iraq.

Meanwhile, President Bush's nominee to head the U.S. Army faced sharp questioning from senators during his U.S. Senate confirmation hearing.

General George Casey, the current commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, told senators Thursday things had not gone as he had hoped in Iraq. But he said the strategy he helped develop and implement was not a failure.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he will bring the new Warner-Levin resolution to the Senate floor next week.

Republican Senator John McCain of the U.S. state of Arizona asked Casey if President Bush's strategy was working. Casey said Mr. Bush's plan to send five additional brigades was enough to help quell sectarian violence in Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the U.S. will need to send about 28-thousand additional troops to support forces already in Iraq. But a defense department official told VOA on condition of anonymity that 28-thousand is "very high" and said the actual number of troops needed could be closer to five-or-six-thousand.

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