Rumsfeld urges scale-back of US Iraq operations

Washington: Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told the White House that the US strategy in Iraq was not working and proposed changes shortly before his resignation in November, according to a classified memo.

"In my view it is time for a major adjustment. Clearly, what US forces are currently doing in Iraq is not working well enough or fast enough," Rumsfeld said in the memo, dated November 6 and published in the New York Times on Saturday.

The memo suggested a reduction of troops as well as a recasting of the US mission and goals, but endorsed no specific recommendations.

Rumsfeld has been seen as the public face of the war in Iraq, planning and defending US President George W Bush's strategy since well before the US led invasion in March 2003.

The memo adds to the chorus of voices telling Bush to make a significant shift in strategy as the White House, Pentagon and a congressionally created study group consider changes.

Bush has indicated that he is not looking for a "graceful exit."

"I want to hear all advice before I make any decisions about adjustments to our strategy in Iraq," Bush said in a radio address on Saturday.