Low Graphics Site
 
 
 
 
 
 
|
|
|
|
March 30, 2003
|
Sunday
|
Muharram 26, 1424
|
Bush says he does not know duration
By Our Correspondent
WASHINGTON, March 29: President George W. Bush said on Saturday that Iraqi troops had put up a fierce resistance against the US and British forces and that’s why he was not prepared to predict when this war would end.
“The fighting is fierce and we do not know its duration,” said President Bush while addressing his nation on the 11th day of the Iraq war. “Yet we know the outcome of this battle: The Iraqi regime will be disarmed and removed from power.”
He said the coalition forces had prevented Iraqi forces from launching missiles in western Iraq but acknowledged that US and British troops were “now fighting the most desperate units” of the Iraqi army.
Mr. Bush also warned the Iraqi government not to harm civilians or prisoners of warm, pledging that those who commit war crimes “will be hunted relentlessly and judged severely.”
The American president also said that he had asked Congress for $75 billion to provide fuel for ships, aircraft, and tanks, supplies for US troops in the theatre of operations, and new high-tech munitions to replace those used in the war.
The supplemental, he said, would also provide funds to assist in the reconstruction of Iraq, and to help protect the American homeland in this time of high alert.
Mr. Bush told his nation that this week he met British Prime Minister Tony Blair and discussed with him the progress being made in the war against Iraq.
“Thanks to our fighting forces, the regime that once terrorized all of Iraq now controls a small portion of that country. American and coalition troops have continued a steady advance, and are now less than 50 miles from Baghdad,” he said.
He said the coalition forces also had cleared mines from the water and taken control of a key port city, to allow humanitarian aid to begin flowing into the country. The coalition forces also had secured more than 600 oil wells and begun putting out the few oil well fires set by the Iraqis, he added.
Mr. Bush accused the Iraqi forces of using cruel tactics in the war.
|
