Bush warns of more violence in Iraq
Posted on: Thursday, 22 September 2005, 11:56 CDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush warned on Thursday that Iraqi insurgents are likely to increase the level of violence in Iraq as Iraqis prepared to vote on a constitution in October.
Bush, after a Pentagon briefing with top officials, also said Syria was not being cooperative in helping to seal the Syrian-Iraqi border from insurgents. "Their response has not been very satisfactory to date," Bush said.
Bush told Americans to brace for more violence and accused insurgent leader Abu Musab-al Zarqawi of trying to trigger a civil war with a series of attacks.
"Today, our commanders made it clear: As Iraqis prepare to vote on their constitution in October and elect a permanent government in December, we must be prepared for more violence," Bush said.
Bush, who has been preoccupied with hurricanes Katrina and Rita, said Iraqi troops are taking on greater responsibilities for their defense but that now is not the time to withdraw U.S. troops as anti-war protesters are demanding.
"Some Americans wants us to withdraw our troops so that we can escape the violence. I recognize their good intentions, but their position is wrong. ... To leave Iraq now would be to repeat the costly mistakes of the past that led to the attacks of September 11, 2001," he said.
Source: REUTERS
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