Foreign fighters who seek to install a Taliban-style government in Iraq are coordinating with Saddam Hussein loyalists to launch attacks on American forces, US President Bush said Tuesday as he mourned rising casualties.
"Over time, Baath Party and Fedayeen fighters and other Saddam loyalists have organized to attack our forces, to terrorize international aid workers and to murder innocent Iraqis," Bush said in a speech.
"Foreign jihadists have arrived across Iraq's borders in small groups with the goal of installing a Taliban-like regime," he said.
"Saddam loyalists and foreign terrorists may have different long-term goals, but they share a near-term strategy: to terrorize Iraqis and to intimidate America and our allies," Bush said. "Recent reporting suggests that despite their differences, these killers are working together to spread chaos and terror and fear."
Bush expressed grief for those lost in the Iraq conflict. "We have laid to rest young men and women who died in distant lands," Bush said after visiting Arlington National Cemetery and laying a wreath there, The AP reported. "For their families, this is a terrible sorrow, and we pray for their comfort. For the nation, there is a feeling of loss, and we remember and we remember and we honor every loss."
But he offered a broad defense for the war in Iraq and for continuing clashes more than six months after he declared major combat over.
"What our country brings to Iraq is a chance for freedom and democracy," Bush said. "Our men and women are fighting terrorist enemies thousands of miles away in the heart and center of their power so that we do not face those enemies in the heart of America."
While Bush was speaking, a series of strong explosions were heard in central Baghdad. There were no reports of damage or casualties after up to eight detonations thundered through the heart of the capital shortly after 9:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, the top U.S. administrator in Iraq, L. Paul Bremer, was in Washington Tuesday for previously unscheduled consultations with Bush administration officials. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
