Bush says US determined to crush Saddam's "dangerous elements"

WASHINGTON (AFP) Apr 15, 2003
US President George W. Bush insisted Tuesday that coalition forces would pursue the war in Iraq until every element of the Saddam Hussein regime is crushed.

"Our victory in Iraq is certain, but it is not complete," Bush said, adding a warning that the United States still feels threatened from international terrorists and weapons of mass destruction.

"Centralized power of the dictator is ended, yet in parts of Iraq, desperate and dangerous elements remain.

"Forces of our coalition will engage these enemies until they surrender or until they're destroyed," Bush said in a speech to business men and women at the White House.

Bush said that with the fall of Saddam's regime "the world is safer. The terrorists have lost an ally. The Iraqi people are regaining control of their own destiny."

The US president said that the reconstruction of Iraq will take time but that he was confident that "a free Iraq can be an example of reform and progress to all the Middle East."

Bush, whose administration has stepped up warnings to Syria about supporting Iraq and terrorism, said "victory in Iraq will be a crucial advance in the war against terror. Yet the war on terror continues.

"Our nation is still threatened by determined and resourceful enemies. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction remains a danger to the civilized world.

SPACE.WIRE