WASHINGTON, Feb 26: US President George Bush plans to detail on Wednesday night (Thursday morning in Pakistan) how an attack on Iraq fits into a “big picture” strategy to promote democracy in the Muslim world and peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

The US leader, in what aides billed as a major speech, aimed to put to rest doubts about US post-war commitments to Iraq and worries that he has put the “war on terrorism” and the Middle East conflict on the backburner.

“He will talk about the implications of liberation and freedom not only for the people of Iraq, but for the region,” spokesman Ari Fleischer said of the 7.15pm (5.15am PST Thursday) address to a Washington think tank.

“He will talk about how Iraq and the people of Iraq are fully capable of becoming a democracy. He will talk about the impact on the Israeli-Palestinian situation as a result of bringing peace and stability to Iraq,” he added.

Mr Bush was to draw on the history of US actions in nations where it has fought to ease concerns about an “imperial” US presence in the region and reinforce Washington’s message that it will do what it takes to put Iraq back on its feet, according to a senior administration official who declined to be named.

“In the days ahead, as we deal with this challenge facing our country, you need to know the value of freedom and liberty will be at the forefront of a policy designed to make the world more peaceful and a policy designed to protect the American people,” the US leader said.

“Liberty is not America’s gift to the world. Liberty is God’s gift to mankind,” he said ahead of the eagerly awaited remarks to the American Enterprise Institute.

The senior US official did not rule out that Bush would cite the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe and efforts to rebuild and democratize Japan after World War II as examples of Washington’s generosity and lack of desire for conquest.

Bush will detail a “big picture involving peace and disarmament and security in the region,” said Fleischer. “He will talk about the humanitarian role the United States will play in providing aid and comfort to the people of Iraq.”

“And he will talk about the important role of the United Nations in this process,” the spokesman said.

Bush has repeatedly pointed to the campaign in Afghanistan as a example of US forces acting as “liberators” not conquerors and pointed to US sacrifices in World War II on behalf of freedom from Nazi Germany.

Top officials have put forth various scenarios for military occupation of Iraq following any war to oust Saddam Hussein and have promised lavish efforts to ensure Iraq’s territorial integrity, quell sectarian violence, and promote democracy.

“Iraq belongs to the Iraqis. We do not aspire to own it or run it,” US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said recently, stressing that US troops were pledged “to stay as long as necessary and to leave as soon as possible.”—AFP