Life in La La Land
posted by
Dookie The Webmaster
6:07 AM
President Bush: Iraq violence is a 'positive moment'
President Bush gave warning yesterday that Iraq's "fragile situation" required the US to maintain a strong military presence there, even as he defended the withdrawal of British troops from Basra, the scene of heavy fighting in recent days.
In an interview with The Times, he backed the Iraqi Government's decision to "respond forcefully" to the spiralling violence by "criminal elements" and Shia extremists in Basra. "It was a very positive moment in the development of a sovereign nation that is willing to take on elements that believe they are beyond the law," the President said.
Asked if British troops had retreated to the relative safety of the Basra airbase too hastily last year, Mr Bush said that the pullback had been "based upon success" in quelling violence, adding that he remained grateful for the contribution made by British Forces from "day one" of the war.
Mr Bush, who had spent the morning being briefed on Iraq by the Pentagon before an imminent announcement on US troop levels, said that despite "substantial gains" since the US military surge began last year, much work was needed to "maintain the success we've had".
I can count to potato!
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