Media offers conflicting reports on size of 'surge'

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - President Bush could be adding up to 40,000 more U.S. troops to the current 132,000 U.S. troops already stationed in Iraq, but the final figure has not yet been disclosed. Predictions from various media sources range from 9,000 to 40,000.

CNN television reported that Bush will probably announce early next week that he is sending 20,000 to 40,000 new troops.

According to AFP, a senior news official told CNN that "a targeted increase in troop strength" is "an active subject of discussion."

NBC News said a temporary troop increase would be likely, citing military officials who think about 20,000 additional troops will be sent.

CBS News cited military sources that said Bush intends to send about 7,500 troops into Baghdad and 1,500 marines to the Sunni western province of Al-Anbar, with another 11,000 troops on alert in Kuwait and the U.S.

The McClatchy Newspaper chain reported that Bush wants to add three to four U.S. combat brigades - between 15,000 and 20,000 troops. Bush had earlier been considering sending as many as 30,000 to 40,000.

McClatchy quotes an unnamed State Department official as saying, "Instead of a surge, it's a slump."

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