"American and coalition forces are steadily advancing against the regime of Saddam Hussein," Bush declared, the morning after US tanks rolled into Baghdad.

"As the vise tightens on the Iraqi regime, some of our enemies have chosen to fill their final days with acts of cowardice and murder," he went on.

Iraqi forces are using women and children as human shields, hiding in civilian neighborhoods, forcing other Iraqis into battle, and executing prisoners of war, Bush said.

By contrast, "American forces and our allies are treating innocent civilians with kindness and showing proper respect to the soldiers who surrender," and bringing food, water and medicine to Iraqi people.

"The citizens of Iraq are coming to know what kind of people we have sent to liberate them," he said.

"We are bringing aid to the long suffering people of Iraq, and we are bringing something more: we are bringing hope."

"Village by village, city by city, liberation is coming. The people of Iraq have my pledge: Our fighting forces will press on until their oppressors are

gone and their whole country is free," Bush said.

SPACE.WIRE