-->25,000 More Troops May Go To Iraq After June 30 -NBC

06/24/2004
Dow Jones News Services
(Copyright © 2004 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.)


NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--An additional 25,000 troops may be needed in Iraq if the security situation continues deteriorating after the June 30 transfer of sovereignity takes place, NBC News said Thursday, quoting U.S. Army Central Command sources.

Army sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said no request to deploy additional troops has been made, but commanders want to be prepared for the worst if violence aimed at thwarting the process of returning sovereign control of Iraq to Iraqis escalates, said the report that appeared on the MSNBC Web site.

U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, questioned about the preparations Wednesday afternoon on MSNBC's"Hardball," wouldn't confirm the planning, but said Central Command"has plans to deal with whatever may confront us."

The Associated Press, meanwhile, is reporting that U.S. President George W. Bush plans to appeal to leaders next week to send a North Atlantic Treaty Organization force to Iraq to bolster the U.S.-led coalition. The AP quotes two senior administration officials as sources.