Bush criticizes Iraqi troops for leaving battlefield, defends embattled RumsfeldBy Jennifer Loven, Associated Press, 12/20/2004 11:16
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WASHINGTON (AP) President Bush pointedly acknowledged Monday that U.S.-trained Iraqi troops are not ready to take over their country's security, and cautioned that next month's elections there are only the beginning of a long process toward democracy.
''I certainly don't expect the process to be trouble-free,'' Bush said as he addressed next year's agenda ranging from overhauling Social Security to the Jan. 30 elections in Iraq.
In the 17th news conference of his presidency, Bush accused insurgents in Iraq of trying to ''disrupt the democratic process'' and urged the American people to remain patient well beyond the elections.
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/355/wash/Bush_criticizes_Iraqi_troops_f:.shtml