But senior American generals were privately urging a much different approach, according to interviews with military and civilian officials.
In the past week, the Administration has also publicly and privately urged the two sides to resolve the situation peacefully.
He privately urged French government to send troops into Spain in 1836.
He has privately urged a handful of governors to hold back from endorsing other candidates.
But American diplomats have been privately urging the main political leaders to work for a broad-based government that will present a common front to the insurgents.
In July, he privately urged lawmakers to elevate his office to cabinet rank, on a par with the secretary of state and attorney general.
In early June, Pike privately urged me to follow up on the Lavelle story.
The White House has been privately urging moderation in dealing with the Kremlin.
Many military lawyers have privately urged such a shift since President Bush first authorized the commissions after Sept. 11.
American officials say they have privately urged Rwanda and Uganda to pull out of Congo.