2007-05-26 04:01:45 -

SAN ANTONIO (AP) _ The now-retired U.S. general who led the Iraq war for more than a year says the situation is bleak and that only a large, long-term troop commitment can keep the U.S. from avoiding defeat.
«I think if we do the right things politically and economically with the right Iraqi leadership, we could

still salvage at least a stalemate, if you will _ not a stalemate but at least stave off defeat,» retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez said in Friday's editions of the San Antonio Express-News.
«It's also kind of important for us to answer the question, 'What is victory?' And at this point, I'm not sure America really knows what victory is.»
Sanchez is not the only high-ranking former military leader to criticize the war's handling. Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste has appeared in television commercials accusing the administration of President George W. Bush of pursuing «a failed strategy that is breaking our great Army.»
Sanchez, 56, retired after commanding U.S. and coalition troops in Iraq for more than a year after Baghdad's fall.
Sanchez said the situation in Iraq is not hopeless. He recommended dramatically improved U.S. and Iraqi leadership and a commitment of at least 100,000 troops for six or seven more years.
The general acknowledged that public support for such a move may no longer be available.
«It's very questionable,» he said. «In terms of the will of the American people, I think that's pretty frayed at this point.»
Sanchez, who is considering writing a book, would not tell the newspaper whether Bush was engaged on major Iraq decisions.
«Good questions,» he replied. «More to follow.»