Crawford, Texas, Aug 23, SPA -- U.S. President George W. Bush is mapping out defense strategy with his top defense advisers as U.S. deaths inIraq inch toward 1,000 and the electioncampaign focuses intently on his and Democrat John Kerry'scredentials for keeping the nation safe. "This is a chance for the president and other militaryleaders to get outside of Washington, D.C., and have a gooddetailed discussion about key defense priorities," WhiteHouse press secretary Scott McClellan said of the meetingMonday at the president's ranch. Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald H.Rumsfeld, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Richard Myersand national security adviser Condoleezza Rice were amongthose set to attend. Gen. George Casey, the senior U.S.officer in Iraq, and Gen. John Abizaid, head of the U.S.Central Command, planned to participate via a videoconference hookup. Bush's fourth annual meeting on defense priorities focuseson Iraq and threats to national security in the future.--SPA1329 Local Time 1029 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/194296