(January 19, 2007)--The co-author of the Iraq Study Group report says sending more US troops to Baghdad ultimately delays the departure of American forces.
Lee Hamilton told a House panel that the planned troop increase of 21, 500 soldiers to Baghdad and Anbar province delays the training planned for Iraqi forces.
The study group recommended removing US combat troops by early next year, and changing the mission from security to training and supporting Iraqi forces.
Hamilton said that by adding new troops, "You delay the date of completion of the training mission. You delay the date of handing responsibility to the Iraqis."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said earlier that President Bush "has dug a hole so deep he can't even see the light on this."
She calls the war "a tragedy" and "a stark blunder."
