Officials say Bush will adopt Petraeus recommendations on troop withdrawals

WASHINGTON (AP) - Even as the top diplomat and commander in Iraq testify in Congress, there is word the president plans to scale back troop levels.

The Associated Press has learned the President Bush plans to reduce the number of troops by 30,000 by next summer. But the drawdown remains dependent on progress in Iraq.

Officials say he’ll probably make an announcement in a prime-time television address later this week. Bush will likely endorse the recommendations of Ambassador Ryan Crocker and General Petraeus.

One official says Bush will adopt Petraeus’ call for more time to determine the timeline for withdrawals below the 130,000 mark—roughly the level of troops before the buildup. The official also says the president will offer to report to Congress in March about such plans.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)