Bush Defends Declaring End to Iraq Combat

AP ^ | 04/30/04 | TERENCE HUNT

[Pikamax]

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By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent

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.

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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."

[what's up]

Perfect remarks by Bush.

[NonValueAdded]

Yet another misleading AP headline, leaving out the word "major" which changes the meaning significantly. Maybe we should start a pool on when AP gets one right. I'll take April 1, 2010.

[lysie]

Local news at 2:30 stated President Bush backs off on his mission accomplished statement. I knew it wasn't true.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

We are winning.

[PISANO]

Everyone, with any sense, OR ANY MILITARY MAN or WOMAN KNOWS that the MISSION was to TOPPLE SADDAM's REGIME. That is what was done one year ago! No where was it stated that the WAR was over and only the radical press/media agents of the LEFT proclaimed it so.

[kevkrom]

Bush said of Martin, "He understands the danger of terror, he understands the opportunity of trade. We share values that are so important."

If I were a cynical man, I'd see this as a warning that trade sanctions would follow if Canada doesn't stay in line...

[Right_in_Virginia]

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

Until I see more carpet-bombing and MOABs dropped...the major combat in Iraq IS over.

Godspeed, Mr. President.

[CW_Conservative]

In the lead-up to the war, we were told of a "gathering threat", WMD and links to terrorism. Could you provide information where we were told that the mission was to topple Saddam?

Saddam could have cooperated with us and not taken to the airwaves and begged his follow Iraqi's to die for his sorry, rat-hole hiding, psychotic self.

That's when it became our "mission". Although, most Americans knew this would be the case long before we stepped foot in Iraq.

[bushfamfan]

I seem to remember the media was all over Bush asking when he was going to declare victory. Bush was waiting for the go-ahead from General Franks. It's obvious the end to major combat meant the overthrow of the Saddam Hussein regime, but the media and Demonrats have done a good job of turning it against Bush and claiming he was saying all was done when he said no such thing. Kind of like them saying he said Iraq was an imminent threat when he said we couldn't wait for it to become imminent. The media is despicable. I haven't been happy with all the moves Bush has made in Iraq, but it's apparent how the media is attempting to make it all a disaster and hoping for it. They are attempting to panic the public and are openly giving terrorists reason for believing they can score a victory. The media clearly is out to get Bush. It will be a relief once the election is behind us, but that is only if Bush is reelected because Kerry will be a disaster for our country and this cause.