The Bush administration will delay major assaults on rebel-held
cities in Iraq until after U.S. elections next month, say
administration officials, mindful that large-scale military offensives
could affect the U.S. presidential race. Although American commanders
in Iraq have been buoyed by recent successes in insurgent-held towns
such as Samarra and Tall Afar, administration and Pentagon officials
say they will not try to retake cities such as Fallujah and Ramadi --
where insurgents' grip is strongest and U.S. military casualties could
be the greatest -- until after Americans vote in what is likely to be a
close election. "When this election's over, you'll see us move very
vigorously," said one senior administration official involved in
strategic planning, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Once you're
past the election, it changes the political ramifications" of a
large-scale offensive, the official said. "We're not on hold right now.
We're just not as aggressive." Any delay in pacifying Iraq's most
troublesome cities, however, could alter the dynamics of a different
election -- the one in January, when Iraqis are to elect members of a
national assembly. [more ]
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