* Pleased With Progress in Iraq, Explains N. Korea Steps

[paineinthearse]

Mods: This is from a government webstite, so it is not be subject to the 4-paragraph rule.

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http://www.dod.gov/news/Apr2005/20050429_810.html

Bush Pleased With Progress in Iraq, Explains N. Korea Steps
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, April 29, 2005 – President Bush said the Iraqi people are making good progress in creating a democracy in the nation and said that as the democracy takes root, more people will see the benefits.
He spoke during a White House press conference April 28. The president also spoke about North Korea.

"There are still some in Iraq who aren't happy with democracy," Bush said. "They want to go back to the old days of tyranny and darkness, torture chambers and mass graves. I believe we're making really good progress in Iraq, because the Iraqi people are beginning to see the benefits of a free society."

The president said he was pleased with Iraqi officials' announcing their cabinet. He also praised the training effort coalition forces have undertaken to form the Iraqi army and Iraqi police.

"The Iraqi military is being trained by our military, and they're performing much better than the past," Bush said. "The more secure Iraq becomes, as a result of the hard work of Iraqi security forces, the more confidence the people will have in the process, and the more isolated the terrorists will become."

But Iraq still has problems and still has terrorists willing to kill vast numbers of people to intimidate the population and bring back the excesses of the former regime. "We will work with the Iraqis to secure their future," the president said.

"A free Iraq in the midst of the Middle East is an important part of spreading peace. It's a region of the world where a lot of folks in the past never thought democracy could take hold. Democracy is taking hold. And as democracy takes hold, peace will more likely be the norm."

Bush said he would not lay out a timetable for pulling troops from Iraq. "All that will do is cause an enemy to adjust," he said. "So my answer is, 'As soon as possible.' And as soon as possible depends upon the Iraqis being able to fight and do the job."

The president said the number of U.S. troops in Iraq - now under 140,000 - is not limiting his options elsewhere in the world. In Korea, for example, the U.S. troop levels have dropped. But the U.S. has made up for that by increasing other capabilities in the nation.

"(North Korean leader) Kim Jong-il is a dangerous person," Bush said. "He's a man who starves his people. He's got huge concentration camps. And ... there is concern about his capacity to deliver a nuclear weapon. We don't know if he can or not, but I think it's best when you're dealing with a tyrant like Kim Jong-il to assume he can."

The president said the best way to deal with North Korea is via diplomacy. He said the United States tried a bilateral approach, and it didn't work.

"I felt a better approach would be to include people in the neighborhood, into a consortium to deal with him," Bush said. "It's particularly important to have China involved. China has got a lot of influence in North Korea."

Still the president isn't relying solely on diplomacy. He said the missile defense system could offer at least limited protection from a North Korean strike. "We've got a comprehensive strategy in dealing with him," Bush said, referring to Kim Jong-il.

[ananda]

1. More people where..

.. will see what benefits?

As of now, I see more and more people suffering, reaping great harm from Bush's idiotic invasion, foreign policy, and views.

Spin is one thing.. reality is another. Bush simply doesn't recognized the difference in any rational or meaningful way.

Sue

[Toots]

2. He is an out an out LIAR, Bush* Administration never had bilateral talks

From day one Bush* has refused to talk directly with North Korea. He probably is talking about during the Clinton Administration and things were going quite well until Bush* came to office. South Korea and North Korea were in the process of opening a train between the two countries and trade was beginning. That is now history...Back to fifties mentality now....

[Erika]

3. W's father also chose to not talk to "those people"

and our kids died in that war. The bushs' have huge egos. You either worship them or you don't exist, as shown in Bush's public appearances. He won't invite you in the first place, and will have you removed if you dare to even vaguely imply you may have a differing opinion.

The Bushs' ego has been paid for by our military lives. Not too much difference from the imperialistic kingdoms who sent their kids to die in the name of their king. See the facts at www.icasulaties.org. Three of our own killed today, many injured. Even more Iraqis killed and their civilians wounded. The right wing sites will never mention this. It's like the war that really isn't.

[paineinthearse]

4. Faux says it is "fair and balanced"

DoD news is out and out propaganda.

[Erika]

5. Faux/Bushco News is yesterday's trash

It's like a flyer for some radical propaganda. You look at it and you discard it.