President Bush is expected to announce a new strategy in Iraq next week; and will change two top mil

(5 Jan 2007) HEADLINE: Bush to announce Iraq policy changes CAPTION: President Bush is expected to announce a new strategy in Iraq next week; and will change two top military leaders in the Middle East. (Jan. 5) [Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] President Bush met with Germany's Chancellor Thursday .. but Iraq was very much on his mind. Next week the President is expected to address the nation, announcing his plans for a change in strategy there. SOT: I've still got consultations to go through, whatever decision I make will be make sure to achieve and objective. [Notes:file video] It's widely speculated the President wants to increase the number of U.S. Troops in Iraq by roughly 20 -thousand, temporarily, to quell a surge in violence. But the President is also looking at economic options -- such as business loans -- as ways of encouraging Iraqis to join the workforce, in instead of joining militias. SOT: One things is clear is the mission will be clear specific and can be accomplished. Any change in strategy, with come with a change in some key faces. [Notes:file photos of all four military commanders] The president wants to replace two top generals. Bush wants Admiral William Fallon -- the top U.S. Commander in the pacific to replace General John Abizaid as the U.S. Commander in the Middle East. And Army Lieutenant General David Petraeus to replace General George Casey -- as the chief General in Iraq. Neither Abizaid nor Casey has expressed full support for a troop increase. [Notes:shots of al-maliki] The President says he talked to Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki for roughly two hours Thursday. [Notes:cell phone video] But it was a conversation that was overshadowed by a lingering controversy over Saddam Hussein's execution. SOT: I wish obviously that the proceedings had gone in a more dignified way -- but nevertheless, he was given justice that thousands of people he killed were not. Some members of Congress have been invited to the White House Friday to talk about Iraq ... [Notes:shot of pelosi with gavel thursday] SOT: the house will come to order. A new congress that's likely to put up new resistance to any calls for a troop increase. ___ ___, The Associated Press. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...