Bush: 'Encouraging Signs' in Iraq

Mar 06, 01:49 PM

Current Headlines: U.S. President George Bush on Tuesday told the American Legion in Washington there are encouraging signs in the fight against Iraqi extremists.

The war is more than a conflict in one country, he said. It is part of a larger struggle against extremism that is unfolding across the broader Middle East.

The extremists are fighting to take control of Iraq so they can establish it as a base from which to overthrow moderate governments in the region and plan new attacks on the American people. If we fail in Iraq, the enemy will follow us home.

Bush earlier announced his new strategy for Iraq, which included the addition of 20,000 U.S. troops, closer ties with the Iraqi government and a new focus on troubled neighborhoods of Baghdad.

Even at this early hour, there are some encouraging signs, he said.

Iraqi and U.S. forces have rounded up more than 700 Shiite extremists, recovered large weapons caches and staved off planned attacks on U.S. troops, he said.

Iraqi and U.S. forces are making gradual but important progress almost every day and we will remain steadfast until our objectives are achieved.