WRAP US president on Iraq policy, adds Italy, Poland
(14 Apr 2004) 1. US President George W. Bush walks to podium 2. News conference 3. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "Troop's strength now and in the future is determined by the situation on the ground. If additional forces are needed I will send them. If additional resources are needed, we will provide them." 4. News conference 5. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "They are not happy, they are occupied. I wouldn't be happy if I were occupied either. They do want us there to help with security, and that's why the transfer of sovereignty is an important signal to send, and that's why it also important for them to hear that we will stand with them until they become a free country." 6. News conference 7. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "Nobody likes to see dead people on their television screens. I don't. It's a tough time for the American people to see that. It's gut-wrenching." 8. Cutaway 9. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "People are sacrificing their lives in Iraq from different countries, we ought to honour that. We ought to welcome that, I am proud of the coalition that is there. These are people that have - the leaders have made the decision to put peoples in harm way... people in harm's way.. for the good of the world. And we appreciate that sacrifice in America. We appreciate that committment. I think that one of the things you are saying is more involvement of the United Nations in terms of the political process. That's helpful. I'd like to get another UN Security Council resolution out that will help other nations to decide to participate. One of the things I have found, John, (reporter) is that in calling around, particularly during this week, I spoke to (Italian) Prime Minister Berlusconi and (Polish) President Kwasniewski, there is a resolve by these leaders that is a heartening resolve, (cuts to wide shot) (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair is the same way. He understands, like I understand, that we cannot yield at this point in time, that we must remain steadfast and strong." 10. Back shot (short shot) STORYLINE: Conceding a couple of "tough weeks in Iraq," President Bush signaled on Tuesday night that he is ready to put more American troops on the front lines and use decisive force if necessary to restore order. "If additional forces are needed I will send them. If additional resources are needed, we will provide them," said Bush. At a combination speech and news conference at the White House, Bush rejected suggestions that Iraq was becoming another Vietnam - a quagmire without ready exit. Standing before cameras for an hour, giving a 17-minute speech followed by reporters' questions, Bush said that Iraqis wanted coalition forces to remain to help with security. One year after the fall of Saddam Hussein, Bush said a recent increase in violence is neither a civil war nor a popular uprising. "Nobody likes to see dead people on their television screens. I don't. It's a tough time for the American people to see that. It's gut-wrenching," he said While the troops will remain, Bush also said the United States would stick to a June 30 deadline for handing over political power to Iraqis. The president also said that within the last week he had spoken to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, both of whom have sent troops to Iraq, saying he was "heartened" by their resolve. It was Bush's first prime time news conference since March 6, 2003, just days before the opening of the war to depose Saddam. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
