(5 Jan 2006) SHOTLIST
1. Wide shot of US President George Bush entering a press conference at the Pentagon
2. SOUNDBITE: (English) George Bush, President of the United States:
"The commanders have recently determined that we can reduce our combat forces in Iraq from 17 to 15 brigades. And the reason they were able to do so is because the Iraqis are more capable. The adjustment is underway. This adjustment will result in a net decrease of several thousand troops below the pre-election baseline of 138-thousand US troops in Iraq. The decrease comes in addition to a reduction of about 20-thousand troops who were in Iraq to assist with security during the December elections. Later this year, if Iraqis continue to make progress on the security and political sides that we expect, we can discuss further possible adjustments with the leaders of a new government in Iraq. But my decisions will be based upon conditions on the ground and the recommendation of our commanders, not based by false political timetables in Washington DC. I'm not going to let politics get in the way of doing the right thing in Iraq, and the American people have got to understand that."
3. Various cutaways of reporters
4. Cutaway, wide shot of Bush on stage
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) George Bush, President of the United States:
"There's a lot of work to be done in this war on terror, but the American people can be rest assured this administration understands the task, and understands the challenges, and understands our obligation to protect you, to protect the American people."
6. Shot of Bush leaving presser
STORYLINE:
US President George W Bush said at the Pentagon on Wednesday that if conditions in Iraq improved, further "adjustments" would be made to the number of US troops in the country.
"If Iraqis continue to make progress on the security and political sides that we expect, we can discuss further possible adjustments with the leaders of a new government in Iraq," he said.
But he said his decision would depend on conditions on the ground and not on "false political timetables in Washington DC".
Recently, the administration announced that by March, US forces in Iraq would drop by up to seven-thousand to around 130-thousand.
Bush also predicted on Wednesday that the new year would bring advances and more international cooperation in fighting terrorism, giving an upbeat assessment after meeting with his top military commanders from Iraq and Afghanistan.
But, he said: "There's a lot of work to be done in this war on terror".
The US President was speaking following a meeting with members of his National Security team and top commanders at the Pentagon.
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