- News>
- World
Bush denounces attacks, transfer of power in Iraq as scheduled
Washington, Apr 10: US President George W Bush today said that despite the spurt in attacks on US-led forces in Iraq, Washington is committed to hand over sovereignty to Baghdad by June end and vowed to continue fighting in the weeks ahead.
Washington, Apr 10: US President George W Bush today said that despite the spurt in attacks on US-led forces in Iraq, Washington is committed to hand over sovereignty to
Baghdad by June end and vowed to continue fighting in the
weeks ahead.
"Some have suggested that we should respond to the
recent attacks by delaying Iraqi sovereignty. This is
precisely what our enemies want. They want to dictate the
course of events in Iraq and to prevent the Iraqi people
from having a true voice in their future," Bush said in his
weekly radio address.
Admitting that the US-led forces "have faced
challenges and taken the fight to the enemy," he said "as the
June 30th date for Iraqi sovereignty draws near, a small
faction is attempting to derail Iraqi democracy and seize
power.
"They want America and our coalition to falter in our
commitments before a watching world. In these ambitions, the
enemies of freedom will fail. Iraqi sovereignty will arrive on
June 30th," the President said.
"In some cities, Saddam supporters and terrorists have struck against coalition forces. In other areas, attacks were incited by a radical named Muqtada-al-Sadr, who is wanted for the murder of a respected Shiite cleric. Al-Sadr has called for violence against coalition troops, and his band of thugs have terrorised Iraqi police and ordinary citizens," he said.
He said the United Nations special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is conducting intensive consultations with various Iraqi leaders on the structure of the interim government that will assume control on July 01.
The transition to sovereignty will mark the beginning of a new government, and the end of the coalition's administrative duties, he said, adding the coalition's commitment to Iraq will continue even after transfer of power. "We will establish a new American embassy to protect our nation's interests. We will continue helping the Iraqi people reconstruct their economy, undermined by decades of dictatorship and corruption. And our coalition forces will remain committed to the security of Iraq.”
Pledging his government's support for the reconstruction efforts in the war-torn nation, he said "Iraq's elections for a permanent government are scheduled to be held near the end of 2005, and the elected government can count on coalition assistance. We will stand with the Iraqi people as long as necessary, to ensure that their young democracy is stable and secure and successful." On the current crisis following stepped up attacks on US-led forces, he said "coalition forces are conducting multi-city offensive. In Fallujah, marines of operation vigilant resolve are taking control of the city, block by block, further south, troops of operation resolute sword have taken the initiative from al-Sadr's militia."
Bureau Report
"In some cities, Saddam supporters and terrorists have struck against coalition forces. In other areas, attacks were incited by a radical named Muqtada-al-Sadr, who is wanted for the murder of a respected Shiite cleric. Al-Sadr has called for violence against coalition troops, and his band of thugs have terrorised Iraqi police and ordinary citizens," he said.
He said the United Nations special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is conducting intensive consultations with various Iraqi leaders on the structure of the interim government that will assume control on July 01.
The transition to sovereignty will mark the beginning of a new government, and the end of the coalition's administrative duties, he said, adding the coalition's commitment to Iraq will continue even after transfer of power. "We will establish a new American embassy to protect our nation's interests. We will continue helping the Iraqi people reconstruct their economy, undermined by decades of dictatorship and corruption. And our coalition forces will remain committed to the security of Iraq.”
Pledging his government's support for the reconstruction efforts in the war-torn nation, he said "Iraq's elections for a permanent government are scheduled to be held near the end of 2005, and the elected government can count on coalition assistance. We will stand with the Iraqi people as long as necessary, to ensure that their young democracy is stable and secure and successful." On the current crisis following stepped up attacks on US-led forces, he said "coalition forces are conducting multi-city offensive. In Fallujah, marines of operation vigilant resolve are taking control of the city, block by block, further south, troops of operation resolute sword have taken the initiative from al-Sadr's militia."
Bureau Report