Bush Sees Iraq Progress, Defends Prison

LAT ^ | 6/22/05 | Warren Vieth

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

President Bush insisted Monday that the United States was making progress on both the political and security challenges in Iraq, and he urged European allies to put aside their differences with America and work to bring the Iraqi insurgency to an end.

Appearing with two leaders of the European Union following a round of private talks at the White House, Bush said the success of the fight against terrorism depended on "completing the mission" in Iraq.

"It's an important signal for people to hear loud and clear," Bush said. "There may have been past differences over Iraq, but as we move forward there is a need for the world to work together so that Iraq's democracy will succeed."

The president was speaking to a press corps that included a large European contingent, but his comments appeared intended in part to reassure Americans that the U.S. mission in Iraq still made sense, despite the mounting casualty count caused by the relentless cycle of suicide bombings and other attacks by insurgents.

The U.S. military death toll in Iraq has climbed above 1,700, and the number of civilians killed there is far higher. On Monday, insurgents killed at least 32 people in four Iraqi cities, including 13 Iraqi police officers in the northern city of Irbil.

"I think about this every single day, every single day, and will continue thinking about it, because I understand we've got kids in harm's way. I worry about their families, and … any time there's a death, I grieve," Bush said...