Bush Warns of Difficult Days in US-led War in Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, March 27, 2003

Bush Warns of Difficult Days in US-led War in Iraq

Warning that the war in Iraq is far from over and difficult days lie ahead, US President George W. Bush rallied American troops at Central Command headquarters in Florida Wednesday.

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Bush addresses US central command HQ in Florida

Warning that the war in Iraq is far from over and difficult days lie ahead, US President George W. Bush rallied American troops at Central Command headquarters in Florida Wednesday.

"Our military is making good progress in Iraq, yet this war is far from over. As they approach Baghdad, our fighting units are facing the most desperate elements of a doomed regime," Bush told a cheering crowd.

"We cannot know the duration of this war, but we are prepared for the battle ahead," Bush said, vowing the United States will berelentless in its pursuit of victory.

"Every nation here today shares the same resolve," Bush said, adding that 48 countries are involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Bush's visit to the Central Command comes at a time when many administration officials are voicing exasperation with media accounts questioning the US and coalition military strategy.

These officials say Iraqi forces and paramilitary units are providing stiff resistance in some locations, but that the overallbattle plan is progressing on or even ahead of schedule.

Bush addresses US central command HQ in Florida

The ongoing war in Iraq was "making good progress" although it was "far from close", US President George W. Bush said on Wednesday in Tampa, Florida, where the US Central Command headquarters is based.

"It has been six days since the major ground war began. It has been five days since the major airstrikes began...The world haswitnessed the skill of our military...We have moved forward 200 miles to the north (towards Baghdad)," Bush boasted."We will be relentless in pursuit of victory," he said, adding that the elite Iraqi Republican Guard were under fierce attackfrom coalition forces.

"We will stay on path...all the way to Baghdad...That day isdrawing near...The Iraqi men and women deserve to stand on theirfeet," the president said.

"We have no ambition in Iraq except to liberate its people," Bush stressed.

He also promised that US forces would treat all the Iraqiprisoners of war decently and humanely.

At the start of his speech, Bush extended his thanks as theCommander-in-Chief of the US armed forces to all those whodisplayed their "service, sacrifice and love for America."Bush also thanked troops from Britain, Australia and otherallied nations for their full support given to the United States.

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