Reuters: "...our diminishing claims on Iraqi hearts and minds..."

Bush to Spell Out Iraq Plan, Major Fighting Flares
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&ncid=578&e=1&u=/nm/20040523/ts_nm/iraq_dc

"There is some agony about doing it. But given the politics right now and our diminishing claims on Iraqi hearts and minds, we're not going to want to be in the position of holding their money," said a congressional aide, declining to be identified."



"Bush is seeking re-election in November with the mounting U.S. combat death toll in Iraq contributing to his lowest opinion poll ratings. Even close U.S. allies have demanded clarity on a planned handover of power to Iraqis on June 30."



"The officials said Bush would make clear he planned to keep forces in Iraq only at the invitation of the interim government, so as to draw a line under the present U.S.-led occupation. They said he planned to shift control of the country's oil revenues and a development fund to the new leaders.