WASHINGTON: George Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq has run into a furious barrage of criticism from the Democrat-controlled Congress.
Bush and top members of his national security team sought to rally support for the troop build-up, the day after the president unveiled his plan.
But defence secretary Robert Gates and secretary of state Condoleezza Rice became embroiled in furious exchanges.
Republican senator Chuck Hagel warned: "I think this represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam."
Even Democratic senator Bill Nelson, a long-time Bush supporter, said: "I have not been told the truth over and over again, and the American people have not been told the truth."
In response, Gates said the administration might abandon the increase if the Iraqi government did not do its part.
lUS soldier William Hunsaker, 24, has been jailed for 18 years for murdering three detainees during a raid on a suspected al Qaida compound in Iraq.
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