Obama to talk about conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan

[August 17, 2009]  PHOENIX (AP) -- President Barack Obama is pausing in his relentless campaign for health care changes to bring a leading veterans organization up to date on how he intends to proceed on dual military commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At the same time, Obama plans in his Phoenix speech later Monday to talk again of efforts he and Defense Secretary Robert Gates are making to revamp the way the Pentagon does business, including changes in procedures for developing and acquiring new weapon systems.

Previewing the talk to the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention, press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama will "talk about where we currently are" in Iraq and Afghanistan while at the same time thanking servicemen and women for their commitments to the national defense.

[Associated Press; By LIZ SIDOTI]

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