Bush Defends Declaring End to Iraq Combat WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) on Friday defended his speech a year ago on the deck of an aircraft carrier proclaiming the end of major combat in Iraq (news - web sites) and said "we're making progress, you bet" in bringing stability to the war-torn country.
Answering reporters' questions in the White House Rose Garden with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin at his side, Bush said that when he spoke aboard carrier U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln he also emphasized that "there was still difficult work ahead." It will be a year on Saturday since Bush made his carrier speech beneath a banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished" and announced that major combat in Iraq was over. Critics have derided the banner's declaration as U.S. casualties mounted over the past year, with fighting particularly deadly in recent weeks. Bush also condemned the apparent mistreatment of some Iraqi prisoners, saying, "Their treatment does not reflect the nature of the American people. That's not the way we do things in America. I didn't like it one bit." He was asked about photos showing Iraqi prisoners naked except for hoods covering their heads, stacked in a human pyramid, one with a slur written in English on his skin. That and other scenes of humiliation have led to criminal charges against six American soldiers. Arab television stations were leading their newscasts on Friday with the photos. "I share a deep disgust that those prisoners were treated the way they were treated," Bush said. As to the carrier speech, Bush said, "A year ago I did give the speech from the carrier saying we had achieved an important objective, accomplished a mission, which was the removal of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)." "And as a result, there are no longer torture chambers or rape rooms or mass graves in Iraq. As a result, a friend of terror has been removed and now sits in a jail," the president said. "We face tough times in Iraq," he said. "And we've had some tough fighting because there are people who hate the idea of a free Iraq" But, Bush added, "We're making progress, you bet ... Whether it be in Fallujah or elsewhere, we will deal with them, those few who are stopping the hopes of many." Some 128 U.S. troops were killed in combat in April, the bloodiest month for U.S. forces in Iraq, while up to 1,200 Iraqis were killed during the month. At least 738 U.S. troops have died in Iraq since the war began in March 2003. There are 138,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and 24,900 troops from coalition countries. Relations between the United States and Canada were strained last year when Ottawa declined to support the U.S.-led war in Iraq. However, Canada has a significant military presence in Afghanistan (news - web sites), has some troops in the Balkans and Haiti and has pledged $300 million for Iraq's reconstruction effort. Asked about those tensions, Bush said, "I want Canada doing what it feels comfortable doing in Iraq." Bush said of Martin, "He understands the danger of terror, he understands the opportunity of trade. We share values that are so important." Of the war casualties, Bush said: "Any time you talk about somebody who died in Iraq or in Afghanistan is a moment for me to thank them and their families for their sacrifice. And their sacrifice will not go in vain, because there will be a free Iraq." ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/BRUplB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> *************************************************************************** Berdikusi dg Santun & Elegan, dg Semangat Persahabatan. Menuju Indonesia yg Lebih Baik, in Commonality & Shared Destiny. www.arsip.da.ru *************************************************************************** __________________________________________________________________________ Mohon Perhatian: 1. Harap tdk. memposting/reply yg menyinggung SARA (kecuali sbg otokritik) 2. Pesan yg akan direply harap dihapus, kecuali yg akan dikomentari. 3. Lihat arsip sebelumnya, www.ppi-india.da.ru; 4. Posting: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 5. Satu email perhari: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 6. No-email/web only: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 7. kembali menerima email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ppiindia/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
