Bush to announce decision on US troop levels in Iraq next week

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
US President George W. Bush will announce his decision on future troops levels in Iraq next week, the White House said Friday. Military leaders told The Associated Press that Bush has been advised by top defense advisers to keep 15 brigades in Iraq until the end of the year. They said the closely held plan would send a small Marine contingent to Afghanistan in November to replace one of two Marine units expected to head home then. Bush was scheduled to make remarks Tuesday at the National Defense University in Washington. White House press secretary said Bush has been talking with his national security team and will be consulting with members of Congress.