WRAP Bush to consult on possible change in tactics in Iraq ADDS Rumsfeld

(20 Oct 2006) POOL Washington, DC - 20 October 2006 1. Pull out from US President George W. Bush at podium to wide of room 2. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "Our tactics are constantly changing. I talk to our generals who are in charge of these operations, and my message to them is, whatever you need, we'll give you, and whatever tactics you think work on the ground, you put in place." ++NEW 3. Wide of audience 4. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "Our goal hasn't changed, but the tactics are constantly adjusting to an enemy which is brutal and violent." ++NEW 5. Senator Mitch McConnell listening 6. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "My message to the United States of America is victory in Iraq is vital for the security of a generation of Americans who are coming up. And so we will stay in Iraq, we will fight in Iraq, and we will win in Iraq." 7. Wide of US President George W. Bush speaking ++NEW AP Television Arlington, Virginia - 20 October 2006 8. US Secretary of Defence, Donald Rumsfeld, and South Korean Minister of National Defence, Yoon Kwang Ung, walking to podium 9. Cutaway of media 10. Rumsfeld and Yoon at podium 11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defence: "I mean, no-one on the National Security Council or a commander in the field makes a decision and sets a course and then puts their brain at rest." 12. Cutaway of media 13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defence: "We've expected the violence to come up during Ramadan as has been indicated over some time. It has in previous years, and it is higher than it has been and it is certainly something that General Casey is addressing." 14. Wide of news conference STORYLINE: US President George W. Bush acknowledged on Friday that the situation in Iraq was tough and said he would consult with US generals to see if a change in tactics was necessary to combat the escalating violence. Seventy-four American troops have died in Iraq in October, and it's likely to become the deadliest month for US forces in nearly two years. Speaking to a National Republican Senatorial Committee reception in Washington, DC, Bush said the US military is constantly adjusting its tactics in order to achieve its objectives in Iraq. "Our tactics are constantly changing," Bush said. "I talk to our generals who are in charge of these operations, and my message to them is, whatever you need, we'll give you, and whatever tactics you think work on the ground, you put in place." He said he planned consultations within the next few days with General John Abizaid, the top US commander in the Middle East, and General George Casey, who leads the US-led Multi-national Forces in Iraq. He declined to say, though, whether he thought a change in tactics was necessary. Defence Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, at a Pentagon news conference with the South Korean Minister of Defence, said the government of Iraq is going to have to take over the country's security sooner rather than later. He said the biggest mistake would be to not continue turning regions of the country over to the Iraqis, even if it means that the US has to go back and retake control because the Iraqis are overwhelmed. He did not elaborate further. But Rumsfeld admitted that US losses are on the rise, but said that was in line with previous spikes in violence during the Muslim period of Ramadan. 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...