Gaborone, July 10: President George W Bush today admitted his government had security problems in Iraq but pledged US forces would be "tough" in dealing with this after three more soldiers were reported killed there. "There is no question we have got a security issue in Iraq," said bush after meeting in Gaborone with Botswanan President Festus Mogae. "We are just going to have to deal with it person by person. We are going to have to remain tough," said the US leader, on the third leg of a five-nation African tour. The three US soldiers were reported killed overnight in separate attacks. One attack targeted a us convoy in Saddam's hometown of Tikrit north of Baghdad late yesterday, killing one soldier and wounding another, us military officials in Iraq said, without providing further details.

In Mahmudiyah, south of the capital, two soldiers were killed when they were ambushed with small arms fire yesterday, sergeant Patrick Compton said. He did not elaborate.


Bureau Report