Bush: U.S., Iraqi forces making progress (AP)

[Eugene]

Bush: U.S., Iraqi forces making progress

By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent

1 hour, 11 minutes ago

WASHINGTON -
President Bush, in a guarded assessment of the war in Iraq, said Tuesday "there are
some encouraging signs" in a security crackdown in Baghdad by U.S. and Iraqi forces.

Facing Democratic opposition to his troop build-up in Iraq, Bush said military commanders
should be able to carry out their mission "without undue interference from politicians in
Washington."

"Other members of Congress seem to believe that we can have it all: that we can find
al-Qaida, pursue national reconciliation, initiate aggressive diplomacy and deter Iran's
ambition in Iraq — all the while withdrawing from Baghdad and reducing our force levels,"
the president said.

"That sounds good in theory, but doing so at this moment would undermine everything our
troops have worked for. There are no shortcuts in Iraq."

Bush offered his war assessment — and criticism of Democrats — in a speech to the
American Legion.

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Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070306/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush