Thursday
Dec232004
Bush Comes to Rumsfeld's Defense
Thursday, December 23, 2004 at 12:29AM
Bush insists: 'Life in Iraq is better than under Saddam' - Rumsfeld "Doing a Really Fine Job"
President Bush defended embattled Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on Monday, saying the Pentagon chief was doing "a really fine job." He praised Rumsfeld for leading major reforms of the size and deployments of the U.S. military. George Bush also insisted yesterday that progress was being made in Iraq, only a day after 67 people were killed in bomb attacks, and that elections would go ahead as planned. The US President also defended Donald Rumsfeld amid growing criticism about the Defence Secretary's handling of the war and his arrogant manner in dealing with Congress. He came under fire most recently after it was revealed that he had not personally signed letters of condolence to the relatives of soldiers killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr Bush said: "Next month, Iraqis will go to the polls and express their will in free elections. Preparations are under way for an energetic campaign and the participation is wide and varied. More than 80 parties and coalitions have been formed and more than 7,000 candidates have registered for the elections. "No one can predict every turn in the months ahead, and I certainly don't expect the process to be trouble free. Yet I am confident of the result." Mr Bush's comments at his "end of the year" press conference came the day after bomb attacks by insurgents in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala killed dozens and left more than 120 wounded. In Baghdad, three election officials were dragged from their car by a group of around 30 insurgents and shot dead. [more] and [more]
President Bush defended embattled Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on Monday, saying the Pentagon chief was doing "a really fine job." He praised Rumsfeld for leading major reforms of the size and deployments of the U.S. military. George Bush also insisted yesterday that progress was being made in Iraq, only a day after 67 people were killed in bomb attacks, and that elections would go ahead as planned. The US President also defended Donald Rumsfeld amid growing criticism about the Defence Secretary's handling of the war and his arrogant manner in dealing with Congress. He came under fire most recently after it was revealed that he had not personally signed letters of condolence to the relatives of soldiers killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr Bush said: "Next month, Iraqis will go to the polls and express their will in free elections. Preparations are under way for an energetic campaign and the participation is wide and varied. More than 80 parties and coalitions have been formed and more than 7,000 candidates have registered for the elections. "No one can predict every turn in the months ahead, and I certainly don't expect the process to be trouble free. Yet I am confident of the result." Mr Bush's comments at his "end of the year" press conference came the day after bomb attacks by insurgents in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala killed dozens and left more than 120 wounded. In Baghdad, three election officials were dragged from their car by a group of around 30 insurgents and shot dead. [more] and [more]
- Defence secretary admits machine signed Iraq condolence letters [more]
- Poll: Rumsfeld losing public's support [more]
- 56 Percent in Survey Say Iraq War Was a Mistake Poll Also Finds Slight Majority Favoring Rumsfeld's Exit [more]