Bush curbs expectations of Iraq troop pullout

President George W. Bush tempered expectations on Friday of a quick US troop reduction in Iraq after the killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, saying a war is not won with the death of a single enemy.
Bush said he was thrilled that al Qaeda's leader in Iraq had been "brought to justice" and insisted he would like to see American troops leave as soon as possible. But two days after Zarqawi's death in a US bombing raid, Bush reiterated Washington's resolve to stay until Iraqis can secure their own country.
"Removing Zarqawi is a major blow to al Qaeda," Bush said at a news conference with Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland. "It's not going to end the war, it's certainly not going to end the violence, but it's going to help a lot."
"I've told the American people I'd like to get our troops out as soon as possible. But the definition of 'as soon as possible,' is depending upon victory in Iraq ... and victory in Iraq is a country that can sustain itself, govern itself and defend itself." "I do not want the American people to think that a war is won with the death of one person," Bush maintained.
Bush said he was sure al Qaeda, behind beheadings of foreigners and some of the bloodiest bombings since a US-led invasion in 2003, would try to regroup after the death of the Jordanian-born militant and launch further attacks. He described the Iraqi government as a "brand-new democracy," telling Americans: "It requires a certain amount of patience to succeed."
Bush's public posture was far more subdued from when the insurgency began three years ago, when he declared "bring 'em on," a bellicose statement he now admits was a mistake.
American public doubts over the Iraq war reached a new high in the days before the Zarqawi killing, a new poll showed. The Associated Press-Ipsos poll found that 59 percent of the public believed the decision to invade Iraq was a mistake.
Bush planned to hold a video conference with Iraqi leaders from Camp David on Tuesday on "how to best deploy America's resources in Iraq." He planned to meet key members of his Cabinet and national security team at Camp David on Monday.
US troops in Iraq have been reduced by about 30,000 troops since December. Defence officials have mentioned the possibility of dropping to about 100,000 troops later this year but said other options included a smaller cut or none at all.