AdvertisementFormer US Secretary of State Colin Powell, long a defender of President George W Bush's decision to invade Iraq, said the administration should be in talks with Syria and Iran as part of an overall strategy to reduce troop levels.

Even with 100,000 additional troops, Powell said, it would be tough for the US to continue its present mission in Iraq. Bush's recent troop surge sent about 30,000 additional soldiers to Iraq.

Powell's comments on Friday at the Aspen Ideas Festival followed a panel discussion with Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, retired army general Jack Keane, and former Indiana congressman Lee Hamilton, co-chair of the Iraq Study Group.

The US cannot "blow a whistle one morning and (have) all 180,000 American forces just leave", Powell said, advocating a smaller US force in Iraq, strategic redeployment of troops in the region and intense diplomatic efforts.

"I think we should be talking to Syria and Iran," Powell said. "You have to talk to people you dislike most in this dangerous world."

Powell said troop reductions should be pursued because the ineffective Iraqi government is unable to oversee the country and cool the unabated violence between majority Shi'ite and minority Sunni Muslims.

"You can't sit there forever on the lid of this sectarian stew," Powell said.

Powell, who appeared before the UN shortly before the start of the March 2003 war to present the US case for invasion, said he supported sending troops as the only sure way to remove Saddam Hussein from power. Powell said Saddam had the ability and intent to develop and use weapons of mass destruction.

"It was the lack of planning for these later phases and the things that got out of control that got us to this point," he said.

Powell predicted that a lack of support for the war and political pressure will force Bush to "face the situation on the ground" and alter his policy by the end of the year.

Politics aside, the volunteer army cannot maintain the existing presence in Iraq, according to Powell, a retired four-star general who also served as commander of the joint chiefs of staff.

AP