Bush downplays Iraqi political disputes

[westcor]

Bush downplays Iraqi political disputes

CNN - http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/03/29/bush.tuesday.ap/index.html

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush, on a day of political turmoil in Baghdad, acknowledged Tuesday that Iraqis are divided over the future of their country but said the differences "will be resolved through debate and persuasion instead of force and intimidation."

"The free people of Iraq are now doing what Saddam Hussein never could: making Iraq a positive example for the entire Middle East," Bush said in remarks in the Rose Garden.

He spoke to an audience of Iraqi law students, members of the religious community and others.

In Baghdad, the fledgling parliament failed to agree on who would be its speaker in a chaotic session that exposed deep divides among the National Assembly's Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish members who were elected January 30.

Bush called Tuesday's session "another step on the road to a free society" and said the United States looks forward to working with the government that emerges.

"Iraq's new leaders are determined that the government of a free Iraq will be representative of their country's diverse population," Bush said

The president said the National Assembly "includes people and parties with differing visions for the future of their country. In a democratic Iraq these differences will be resolved through debate and persuasion instead of force and intimidation."

Bush said Iraqi security forces were taking on greater responsibility in the fight against insurgents and terrorists.

He said 145,000 Iraqis "have been trained and are serving courageously across Iraq" and in recent weeks had taken the lead in offensive operations in places like Baghdad, Mosul and Samarra.

"We will continue to train Iraqis so they can take responsibility for the security of their country," Bush said. "And then our forces will come home with the honor they've earned.

[westcor]

1. Really??

He thinks things will get better over there by talking it out? Yes I know many men with guns that want to kill Americans that want to talk it over. This man is a joke

[NightOwwl]

2. What I hear when Bush speaks.

blah blah blah lie blah blah lie lie blah lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie lie.

[Pithy Cherub]

3. But, but, but, freedom is on the march...

We were just a few purple fingers away from democracy...:sarcasm:

Just shocked and awed that democracy is still in hiding in Iraq. Maybe a big reward is needed.:hide:

[merwin]

4. Breaking: Bush downplays nuclear war in progress

He'll downplay anything...