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Bush: 'Noble' Iraq War Must Go On

We're not going anywhere, president says on 5th anniversary

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 19, 2008 9:40 AM CDT
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(Newser) – President Bush argued for continuing the Iraq war today on the fifth anniversary of its start, saying the "battle in Iraq is noble, it is necessary, and it is just." Outlining the horrors of Sadam’s regime, Bush thundered, “Because we acted, the world is better,” and called the initial campaign a “remarkable display of military effectiveness.”

Bush said he would not reduce troop levels further unless advised to do so by General Petraeus, reports the AP, and stressed that any drawdowns “must not jeopardize the hard-fought gains” made so far. He described Iraq as a major strategic and historic battlefield, calling it the “first Arab uprising against Osama Bin Laden,” and warning that “the terrorists who murdered the innocents in the streets of Baghdad want to murder the innocents in the streets of America.”

President George W. Bush gives a speech at the Blount Island Marine Terminal, Tuesday, March 18, 2008, in Jacksonville, Fla.
President George W. Bush gives a speech at the Blount Island Marine Terminal, Tuesday, March 18, 2008, in Jacksonville, Fla.   (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
President George W. Bush gives a speech at the Blount Island Marine Terminal, Tuesday, March 18, 2008, in Jacksonville, Fla.
President George W. Bush gives a speech at the Blount Island Marine Terminal, Tuesday, March 18, 2008, in Jacksonville, Fla.   (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
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Excerpts from the speech
Guardian (UK)

 
Iraq • David Petraeus • Iraq war • Iraq exit strategy • George W. Bush

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