|
Excerpts from Brokaw interview with Pres. Bush
Edited for brevity.President Bush says "some evidence" exists that U.S. air strikes on the first night of the Iraq war may have killed or severely wounded Saddam Hussein. That would clear up some other mysteries, he told NBC's Tom Brokaw, including why there weren't more oil field fires, why dams weren't blown up and why the Iraqi defense of Baghdad was so uncoordinated. In a wide-ranging interview on Thursday aboard Air Force One â his first extensive one since before the war â Bush cautioned Iran and Syria anew not to interfere in Iraq. But he said in the interview that the United States has "no military plans" against either nation. Bush acknowledged rising demands from Iraqis that U.S. troops leave Iraq, but he said they would remain "as long as necessary." Could that mean two years? Brokaw asked. "Could â or less. Who knows," Bush said. He had pointed words for his critics, from the Dixie Chicks to French President Jacques Chirac. Of Chirac, who led the opposition at the United Nations to the war against Iraq, Bush said: "I doubt he'll be coming to the ranch any time soon." Bush has invited other world leaders to his Texas ranch, including Australian Prime Minister John Howard â a war supporter â for next weekend. Of the singing Texas trio, who have been outspoken critics of the U.S.-led war, Bush said, "The Dixie Chicks are free to speak their mind." At the same time, Bush added: "They shouldn't have their feelings hurt just because some people don't want to buy their records when they speak out. You know, freedom is a two-way street." Doesn't get much clearer than that! Posted by: Dar 2003-04-25 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=13482 |