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George Bush gives speech to clarify Iraq policy« Thread Star

Daily newsbrief journal for May 2004, also see http://www.usdemocrats.com/brief for a global 100-page perpetual brief and follow twitter @usdemocrats


George Bush gives speech to clarify Iraq policy« Thread Star

Postby admin » Thu Jan 26, 2012 7:34 am

George Bush gives speech to clarify Iraq policy« Thread Started on May 25, 2004, 10:39pm »--------------------------------------------------------------------------------George Bush gives speech to clarify Iraq policyhttp://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/ ... 293.htmThe World Today - Tuesday, 25 May , 2004 12:10:00Reporter: John ShovelanELEANOR HALL: But first today to the United States, where just a few hours ago President George W. Bush delivered a speech designed to clarify his administration's policy on Iraq, and to bolster his own flagging approval ratings.White House officials had stated that this speech would dispel the notion that the Bush administration doesn't know what it's doing in Iraq, and would set out a clear plan for the future.And while he warned in his speech that the way forward may be chaotic, the President did set out a five-step plan toward Iraqi sovereignty, which included enlisting additional international support.Just hours before the President delivered his speech, the US and Britain had put a resolution before the United Nations setting out how Iraq would be governed after the handover to an interim Iraqi government on June the 30th.But even as the Bush administration moved to give the UN a greater role and to clarify its own policy, violence continued inside Iraq. At least 20 people were killed in attacks overnight, a reminder of the security problems in many parts of the country. And the prisoner abuse scandal, as well as allegations that US forces fired on a wedding party, continue to fuel anger and distrust amongst Iraqis.In a moment we'll be hearing from a former US Assistant Secretary of Defence with his assessment of the President's speech. We'll also hear from one of the United States most respected pollsters on how the speech will play inside the United States in the critical lead up to the November election.But now here's our Washington Correspondent John Shovelan with his report on President Bush's speech.JOHN SHOVELAN: In an address that was marked by its generalities, President Bush repeated the most basic elements of an administration plan which has been in operation now for many months.GEORGE BUSH: I've come here tonight to report to all Americans and to the Iraqi people, on the strategy our nation is pursuing in Iraq.JOHN SHOVELAN: President Bush repeated the most basic elements of an administration plan, which has been in operation now for many months.In the first of several speeches expected in the lead up to the hand over, President Bush sought to reassure voters that the now almost 800 Americans have not died in Iraq in vain. And sought to tell the world that he had a blue print to create a new democratic nation.He laid out the five-point plan – one that with the continuing setbacks that keep stacking up, is become increasingly difficult for voters to see.GEORGE BUSH: We will handover authority to a sovereign Iraqi government, help establish security, continue rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure, encourage more international support, and move towards a national election that will bring forward new leaders empowered by the Iraqi people.The first of these steps will occur next month, when our coalition will transfer full sovereignty to a government of Iraqi citizens, who will prepare the way for national elections.On June 30th, the Coalition Provisional Authority will cease to exist and will not be replaced. The occupation will end, and Iraqis will govern their own affairs.JOHN SHOVELAN: The speech acknowledged some concessions to his critics, including an increased role for the United Nations and the international community, and greater troop numbers.He also announced the prison at the centre of the mistreatment scandal would be shut down with the consent of the new Iraqi administration.GEORGE BUSH: Under the dictator prisons like Abu Ghraib were symbols of death and torture. That same prison became a symbol of disgraceful conduct by a few American troops who dishonoured our country and disregarded our values.America will fund the construction of a modern maximum-security prison. When that prison is completed, detainees at Abu Ghraib will be relocated. Then with the approval of the Iraqi government, we will demolish the Abu Ghraib Prison, as a fitting symbol of Iraq's new beginning.JOHN SHOVELAN: President Bush repeated his conviction that the war in Iraq is part of the overall battle against terrorism. He insisted that the handover date would go ahead and said a new president and interim government would be known soon.GEORGE BUSH: The United Nations Special Envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, is now consulting with a broad spectrum of Iraqis to determine the composition of this interim government.The special envoy expects to put forward the names of interim government officials this week. In addition to a president, two vice-presidents and a Prime Minister, 26 Iraqi ministers will oversee government departments from health to justice to defence.JOHN SHOVELAN: The President's speech is part of an overall PR campaign and takes place as his job approval rating has fallen to the lowest level of his presidency, suggesting that he faces the real possibility of defeat.A poll by the CBS news organisation, found 41 per cent of people approved of the job George W. Bush is doing, while 53 per cent disapproved, and 61 per cent now disapproved of the way he is handling the situation in Iraq.John Shovelan, Washington. http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200405/r21 ... _53375.asx
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