Bush says no decision on troop levels - Yahoo! News

Bush says no decision on troop levels - Yahoo! News: "Bush says no decision on troop levels" By ANNE GEARAN, AP Diplomatic Writer CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Facing another decision about U.S. troop levels in Iraq by spring, President Bush said Saturday it is "fine with me" if generals recommend no more reductions than those already planned to drop the force level to about 130,000. Traveling for the next few days among Sunni Arab-ruled states jittery about the rising influence and ambitions of Shiite-majority Iran, Bush used part of remarks here that were focused on Iraq to put Tehran on notice — again. "Iran's role in fomenting violence has been exposed," he said as he listed successes the U.S. is helping to bring about in Iraq. "Iranian agents are in our custody, and we are learning more about how Iran has supported extremist groups with training and lethal aid." After spending a day in Kuwait meeting with its leaders and addressing U.S. troops based here, Bush was welcomed as the first sitting U.S. president to visit Bahrain, an oil-refining and banking island in the Persian Gulf that is host to the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. Bush was treated to trumpet and cannon salutes as he walked down a long, red carpet at a palace in the capital city Manama. Bahrain's king, Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, presented Bush with a medal described as Bahrain's highest award, given only to heads of state. Bush congratulated Bahrain for holding free elections and noted the election two years ago of a woman member of parliament. "Our two nations share a common vision for the future of the Middle East," Bush said in brief remarks at the welcome ceremony in his honor. Bush then watched dancers in flowing robes and headdress perform to rhythmic music as they held swords and rifles. The president and King Hamad were presented with swords, too, which they raised over their heads, just as the dancers had done. Bush's comments in Bahrain echoed his praise for similar democratic gains in Kuwait, where women were given the vote in 2005. Although he talked democracy and development with a group of Kuwaiti women, most of his public business in the emirate concerned the military challenge next door in Iraq.