From VOA
By Dan Robinson

On a day when President Bush’s surprise visit to Iraq filled the headlines, Rice and Rumsfeld held closed-door briefings for members of Congress designed to underscore the optimism they would like to convey about Iraq.

Emerging from a meeting with members of the House of Representatives, Secretary Rumsfeld said Mr. Bush’s visit to Iraq enabled the president to assess the new prime minister and his cabinet, and demonstrate U.S. resolve in supporting his new government.

“It is important that this government be supported,” said Donald Rumsfeld. “The president wanted them to know we wanted to be supportive of them, and that we wish them well.”

Secretary Rumsfeld said the subject of any timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops was not discussed in meetings with lawmakers, saying only that as Iraqi forces improve and strengthen the U.S. will turn over more responsibility to them.

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