The Hindu : War far from over: Bush

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 27, 2003

International

International

War far from over: Bush

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

A U.S. Marine carries an Iraqi boy who was injured during a heavy battle between the U.S. and Iraqi forces near Al Faysaliyah on Wednesday.

Washington March 26. Even while praising the American troops in the military operations in Iraq, the U.S. President, George Bush, has warned that coalition forces will be facing ``the most desperate elements of a doomed regime'' as they edge closer to Baghdad.

``The U.S. will prevail in the end,'' a confident Mr. Bush told a cheering audience at the Macdill Air Force Base in Florida.

``We will be relentless in our pursuit of victory,'' Mr. Bush said, stressing that Saddam Hussein's highly trained troops are coming under intense bombardment of coalition forces. ``Day-by-day, Saddam Hussein is losing his grip. Day-by-day the Iraqi people are closer to freedom,'' he said.

The last time the President travelled within the country was on February 20 and it is significant that he chose the Macdill Air Force Base. The base hosts the Central Command, which is in-charge of military operations in as many as 25 countries stretching from the Horn of Africa, to the Persian Gulf to Central Asia. The war, the Central Command also oversees Operation Enduring Freedom — or the War on Terrorism.

``The 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. We cannot know the duration of this war, but we are prepared for the battle ahead,'' he said. ``I can assure you there will be a day of reckoning for Iraq and that day is drawing near.''

The message comes against the backdrop of a visit to Camp David by the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. ``The President and the Prime Minister will discuss the progress of the war, urgent issues of humanitarian relief, reconstruction and helping the Iraqi people build democratic institutions,'' the White House has said. Prior to leaving for London, Mr. Blair is scheduled to meet the U.N. Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, on Thursday.

One of the major challenges for Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair is the U.N.'s involvement in Iraq after the war. There have been major disagreements between the United States and Britain on the one hand and Russia and France on the other. Those critical of the war are concerned that Washington and London would try and steer the Security Council in a fashion as to endorse or legitimise what has taken place.

The Bush administration has said that it wants to involve the world body in Iraq but has also cautioned that the U.S. was capable of running things on its own should it really come to that.

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