Bush to Declare End to War in Iraq Soon

AP ^ | 4/25/03 | RON FOURNIER

[Pro-Bush]

By RON FOURNIER, AP White House Correspondent

WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) will soon declare an official end to combat in Iraq (news - web sites), White House officials said Friday, previewing an address that also will outline his plans to rebuild the war-torn nation and sustain the global war on terrorism.

AP Photo

The speech may come as early as next week when the president visits an aircraft carrier returning to San Diego from Iraq war duty, officials said.

There has been little fighting in Iraq for days and work is already under way to create an interim government. But Bush has not declared the war over.

He is awaiting word from commanding Gen. Tommy Franks that hostilities have ended. That is expected within a few days.

Bush will discuss his goals for a free Iraq and remind Americans that the conflict was part of a broader war against terrorism, said White House officials, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity.

They said Bush does not plan to declare victory, in so many words, because coalition forces have not completed key missions, including the finding of weapons of mass destruction, the creation of an interim government and confirmation that Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) is captured or killed.

Bush will not deliver the address from the Capitol, as requested by some lawmakers, officials said. Instead, aides are considering venues at the White House or, more likely, outside Washington.

The likeliest site is the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea for nearly nine months. The White House announced Friday that Bush would travel to San Diego next Thursday for remarks aboard the ship and for an overnight stay.

Next Friday, he will leave the ship and travel to Santa Clara for another speech.

To avoid criticism that he is politicizing the war on Iraq, Bush will announce the end of combat in a speech dedicated solely to the fighting and its aftermath, officials said.

In subsequent addresses, Bush will pledge to fight against terrorism and for a stronger economy — the twin themes of his emerging re-election campaign, officials said. He delivered that double-barreled message Thursday in Ohio, and will do so again in Santa Clara.

The USS Lincoln leave some of its support ships in California before returning to its home port in Everett, Wash.

"He will depart the ship Friday morning prior to its pulling into port," said White House press secretary Ari Fleischer (news - web sites). "That way the families can be reunited as quickly as possible without delay."

After his speech in Santa Clara, Bush will fly to his ranch in Crawford, Texas, where he and first lady Laura Bush will welcome Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Howard's wife.

On Saturday, Bush and Howard, a strong backer of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, will meet and answer reporters questions.

Bush is to return to the White House on Monday, May 5.

[Dog]

Notice RON FOURNIER has a problem saying PRESIDENT BUSH..

[Pro-Bush]

Good catch (no pun intended)...How disrespectful.

[Coop]

He called the President and Prime Minister Howard by their titles initially, then referred to them by their last names. I find that acceptable.

[RightWhale]

He's a little late. The war was over when Laci's body was discovered.

[Grampa Dave]

He probably still refers to the Clintoon as President Clinton.

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

"Declare an end to what war?"

[nicmarlo]

ROFL!

[HenryLeeII]

Bush to Declare End to War in Iraq Soon

Did I miss it? Did the Dassholecrats finally surrender?

[ConservativeMan55]

On Fox and Friends this morning that liberal Julian Phillips was also calling him just "Bush" I was very upset and e-mailed in to complain!

[ConservativeMan55]

Does anybody else remember when Saddam challenged President Bush to a dual?

TOUCHE!!!

[woofie]

I asked my daughter(age 9) what she thought of the war ..She replied that nothing had happened so she didnt think we went to war ...I had to tell her that it lasted 3 weeks and we won...

[ConservativeMan55]

President Bush (news - web sites) smiles and gives a thumbs up in response to questions shouted at him about reports of the capture of Tariq Aziz, the former Iraqi deputy prime minister, as Bush returned to the White House following a trip to Ohio, Thursday, April 24, 2003. Earlier, while touring a Lima, Ohio factory that makes the Abrams M1A2 battle tank, the president asked workers to support his plan for $550 billion in tax cuts over the next decade. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

[ConservativeMan55]

Bush kicks ass!!!

[oceanview]

good observation, many of the sheeple think the same. Bush needs to go with a prime time speech, ne needs to use it to help improve consumer confidence and spending. I'd like to hear something like:

"although we still need to be diligent against threats foreign and domestic, recent activities have improved our nation's security. to the american people, consumers and businesses, many of whom have lived their lives in fear and on hold since 9/11, now is time to exhale and begin again to live and invest in our nations economy"

[Kaslin]

Does anybody else remember when Saddam challenged President Bush to a dual?

Dual or duel? Sorry I couldn't resist.

[ConservativeMan55]

Damn I knew I spelled it wrong after I looked at it! Oh well lets chalk it up to boasting!

[F16Fighter]

Hehehe

[F16Fighter]

"Notice RON FOURNIER has a problem saying PRESIDENT BUSH.."

He'd best practice a bit more. Dubya will be "PRESIDENT" until 2008.

[The_Victor]

Does anybody else remember when Saddam challenged President Bush to a dual?

Dual or duel? Sorry I couldn't resist.

Perhaps, to avoid confusion, Saddam should have challenged Bush to a duet.