Bush plans to delay major attacks in Iraq

The Bush administration plans to delay major assaults on rebel-held cities in Iraq until after US elections in November, say administration officials, mindful that large-scale military offensives could affect the US presidential race.

Pentagon officials say they will not try to retake cities such as Fallujah and Ramadi—where insurgents’ grip is strongest and US military casualties could be the greatest. ‘‘When this election’s over, you’ll see us move very vigorously,’’ said one senior official involved in strategic planning. ‘‘Once you’re past the election, it changes the political ramifications’’ of a large-scale offensive, the official said.

With only four months remaining, US commanders are scrambling to ensure voting in as many Iraqi cities for poll’s legitimacy.

US officials point out that there have been no direct orders to commanders in the field to pause operations in the weeks before the Nov 2 election. — LAT-WP