The United States and its coalition allies in Iraq "will stay in the fight until the fight is won." That was the message President George W. Bush delivered in an address to the American people.
In his speech, President Bush said, "The principal task of our military in Iraq is to find and defeat the terrorists. . . .And as we pursue [them], our military is helping to train Iraqi security forces so that they can defend their people and fight the enemy on their own. Our strategy can be summed up this way: As the Iraqis stand up, we will stand down."
Mr. Bush pointed out that despite their violent campaign, the terrorists are no closer to achieving their strategic objectives. He cited the many advances that have been made in Iraq over the past year since sovereignty was returned to the Iraqi people. They include elections for a transitional national assembly in January that drew eight million voters; improvements to roads, schools, health clinics and basic services like sanitation, electricity and water; and gains in the number and quality of Iraqi security forces who, he said, "are proving their courage every day":
"We're hunting down the terrorists. We're helping Iraqis build a free nation that is an ally in the war on terror. We're advancing freedom in the broader Middle East."
"We are removing," said President Bush, "a source of violence and instability, and laying the foundation of peace for our children and our grandchildren."
The preceding was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government.
