Great speech by Bush. The BBC version left out the "Band of Thugs" comment. They have really turned themselves into the "Baathist Broadcasting Company."
November 19, 2003
Bush Says U.S. Will Not Retreat From 'Band of Thugs' in Iraq
By TERENCE NEILAN - NEW YORK TIMES
resident Bush spelled out his global views in a major speech in London today, saying that the United States would not retreat from "a band of thugs" in Iraq, calling on the United Nations to stand behind its resolutions and, in forceful language aimed equally at Israel and the Palestinians, urging Middle East peace.
He said international organizations must be equal to the challenges facing the world, "from lifting up failing states to opposing proliferation" of nuclear weapons.
But, in answer to critics in Britain and other countries, he stressed that, "like 11 American presidents before me," he was committed to the institutions that the United States and alliances helped to form. He also said he backed multilateralism, an attempt to negate the perception that he is a leader determined to go his own way.
He added, however, that the credibility of the United Nations depended on its ability to keep its word, "and to act when action is required."
"It's not enough to meet the dangers of the world with resolutions," he said. "We must meet those dangers with resolve."
He also said the International Atomic Energy Authority must be true to its purpose and hold Iran to its obligation not to pursue nuclear weapons.
Stressing the need for democracy throughout the world, he said there was a growing desire among the people of the Middle East for freedom and the right to choose their own path.
"As recent history has shown," he said, "we cannot turn a blind eye to oppression just because the oppression is not in our own backyard."
On Iraq, he said the coalition had two options — "to keep or to break our word," adding, "The failure of democracy in Iraq will throw its people back into misery and turn that country over to terrorists who wish to destroy us."
"Yet democracy will succeed in Iraq because our will is firm, our word is good and the Iraqi people will not surrender their freedom," he said.
He said the situation in Iraq was serious, and continued to say that the almost daily attacks were mainly coming from outside forces, although American generals have said they believe that insurgents loyal to Saddam Hussein were behind most of the strikes.
Mr. Bush said the coalition had not advanced into the heart of Iraq and paid "a bitter cost" of casualties, "only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins."
On the Middle East, he said the United States sought a viable, independent state for the Palestinian people, who "have been betrayed by others for too long."
The United States also sought security for Israel, "which has lived in the shadow of random death for too long," he said.
But peace would not be achieved by Palestinian rulers who intimidate opposition and profit from corruption and maintain their ties to terrorist groups, the president said.
"The long-suffering Palestinian people deserve better," Mr. Bush added. "They deserve true leaders."
President Bush urged Israel to end the "daily humiliation" of Palestinians and not to prejudice final peace talks by erecting "walls and fences," a clear reference to the West Bank barrier Israel is building. It says it is erecting the barrier to protect itself from terrorist attacks.
Mr. Bush also said Israel should "freeze" construction of settlements, which have the clear backing of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel.
The president's visit is rife with political implications both for Mr. Bush and for Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose steadfast support of the United States over Iraq has divided his governing Labor Party and undermined his popular support.
Mr. Bush has said he views the protests as a symbol of democratic freedoms. But pictures of large-scale demonstrations against him — the biggest one is scheduled for Thursday — are sure to be used by Democrats at home to buttress their case that Mr. Bush shattered international alliances and squandered good will toward the United States in leading the nation into a war in Iraq that much of the rest of the world thought was unnecessary or premature.
Mr. Bush's schedule is dominated by the kind of pomp he typically disdains, most notably an official welcome ceremony with Queen Elizabeth this morning and a state dinner tonight, where he will wear tails (which, he was quick to point out to several interviewers last week, he had to rent).
But his aides said he would also use the stage granted to him in the first full-scale state visit by an American president since Woodrow Wilson in 1918 to celebrate the ideals of the long partnership between the United States and Britain and apply them to the world today.
Mr. Bush will spend much of Thursday and Friday with Mr. Blair. The two leaders are scheduled to discuss how to move ahead in Iraq now that the United States has changed course and agreed to transfer a measure of sovereignty to a provisional Iraqi government by June, before Iraq drafts and adopts a constitution.
They are also expected to discuss a number of issues on which there is tension between their countries. Among them is the status of nine British citizens captured by American forces and held by the United States at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba.
Mr. Blair is sure to press Mr. Bush to end tariffs on imported steel, a step that could cause political heartburn for the president in the electorally crucial states of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Mr. Blair is also likely to call on the United States to do more to revive talks between Israeli and Palestinian officials, reflecting a British view that the administration has sided too much with Israel.
Richard W. Stevenson contributed to this report.
nytimes.com |
