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Clinton seeks troop limit in Iraq

The U.S. should cap the number of troops in Iraq, while increasing American forces in Afghanistan, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday.

Appearing on network television and radio shows to discuss her recent trip to Iraq, the New York Democrat said she opposes President Bush’s plan to increase U.S. troops in Iraq and favors redeploying troops out of Baghdad and eventually Iraq. She said she also favors conditioning economic aid to the Iraqi government’s progress in meeting certain political goals.

“The Bush administration has frankly failed to put any leverage on this government,” Clinton told CBS “The Early Show.” But she sidestepped questions on whether she would vote to block funding for Bush’s troop increase.

On Afghanistan, Clinton called the conflict there “one of the great missed opportunities,” urging an increase in U.S. troops before a likely “spring offensive” by the Taliban.

“Let’s focus on Afghanistan and get it right,” Clinton said.

Clinton is expected to join the presidential field within days. Asked on NPR’s “Morning Edition” about when to expect her announcement, Clinton said she was following her own timeline and wouldn’t be influenced by the actions of other candidates.