U.S. President George W. Bush said on Wednesday it may be possible to discuss with Iraqi leaders reducing some U.S. troops in Iraq later this year if the country makes progress on the security and political fronts, Reuters reported. But in remarks at the Pentagon, Bush reiterated that any reductions would be based on the situation on the ground in Iraq, not on a political timetable imposed by Washington. Bush said a reduction of a few thousand U.S. troops already planned after the Iraqi election in mid-December was under way. "Later this year, if Iraqis continue to make progress on the security and political side that we expect, we can discuss further possible adjustments with the leaders of a new government in Iraq," Bush said. --SP 21 01 Local Time 18 01 GMT
