Casey: Troop numbers for surge higher than needed

WASHINGTON: The outgoing top U.S. general in Iraq diplomatically aired his differences with the commander in chief as he told lawmakers that President George W. Bush has ordered thousands more troops into Iraq than needed to tamp down violence in Baghdad.

Gen. George Casey quickly added he understood how his recently confirmed successor, Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, could want the full complement of 21,500 additional troops that Bush has ordered to Iraq. Casey said they could "either reinforce success, maintain momentum or put more forces in a place where the plans are not working."

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