Bush compares war on terror with WWII.
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| Fri, 06-04-2004 - 10:21am |
Is this a fair comparison? What is your reaction?
Is he using the D-Day ceremonies in an attempt justify the invasion of Iraq?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3570538&thesection=news&thesubsection=world
United States President George W. Bush yesterday compared his war on terror to America's mission in World War II while calling for a new era of reform to avoid the emergence of "terrorist-controlled states" in the oil-rich Middle East.
In a speech to Air Force Academy graduates, the Republican President rejected claims that his Administration's policies in Iraq and Afghanistan have fuelled militancy in the Muslim world.
"Now freedom is stirring in the Middle East and no one should bet against it," Bush said a day after embracing a newly chosen Iraqi interim government.
"Overcoming terrorism and bringing greater freedom to the nations of the Middle East is the work of decades," he added.
"In the short term, we will work with every Government in the Middle East dedicated to destroying the terrorist networks. In the longer term, we will expect a higher standard of reform and democracy."
The address was billed as a follow-up to Bush's speech at the Army War College a week ago in which he discussed US expectations for democracy in Iraq, where a new interim government emerged to a deadly string of car bombs and clashes between American forces and insurgents.
The President has repeatedly held out the prospect of a democratic Iraq as a catalyst for political and economic reform across the region through a proposal called the Greater Middle East Initiative, which he will push at next week's Group of Eight summit during meetings with Western and Arab leaders.
His remarks were replete with references to World War II milestones and, at one point, Bush compared the September 11, 2001, attacks to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour.
Undeterred by political pressure, Bush has donned the mantle of war President by undertaking a series of war-related speeches that will include a weekend appearance at the site of the 1944 Normandy invasion.
Bush travels to Europe today amid fears of violence in Italy, where demonstrators opposed to their country's role as US ally in Iraq plan widespread demonstrations.
"Like the Second World War, our present conflict began with a ruthless surprise attack on the US. We will not forget that treachery and we will accept nothing less than victory over the enemy," he said.
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry accused the President of misleading Americans by linking the Iraq war to September 11.
"It was the weapons of mass destruction which were given to Congress as the primary cause and rationale for our involvement. So I think that's once again misleading America, frankly," Kerry said.
The President acknowledged the danger of spreading violence in countries including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
"We will prevent the emergence of terrorist-controlled states," he told an audience of 29,300 people, who responded with lacklustre applause.
Administration officials have often compared the March 2003 invasion of Iraq with the popular Allied invasion of Europe.
Bush said he was never angry with France over its refusal to back the US-led war in Iraq, as both countries sought to play down past tensions ahead of the 60th anniversary of the D-day landings.
Bush is among 17 heads of state scheduled to attend the commemorations in Normandy.
Like French President Jacques Chirac, Bush said there was never any falling-out between the US and France, which led opposition to the war that ousted Saddam Hussein.
"I made a difficult decision and not everybody agreed with that decision. But I understand that," he said.
"Jacques told me clearly he did not think the use of force was necessary. We debated it as friends."
Chirac yesterday also denied relations with Bush had ever disintegrated or been affected by their disagreement over the Iraqi conflict.
"I was never angry with him and I never had the feeling that he was angry with me. We had a disagreement of views and that's normal."


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ITA! Also, the idea of shared sacrifice is nowhere to be found in this war - the military is bearing the burden alone.
C
No you don't. thanks for the url link. I grew up seeing the scars of the war and the suffering it had on people. Using D day as a venue to justify attacking iraq will not go across well to the people of England and France.
alfreda
It isn't going over well with me--what a sad attempt to elevate his image. Is there no bottom to the level to which this man will stoop?
"George Bush is wrong to make a comparison between the struggles of the men in the Second World War and the present war. It is insulting to the men who were there on D-Day."
widow of Iraq soldier
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=528442
Sixty years on, D-day veterans pass torch into hands of history.
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