অ্যাকসেসিবিলিটি লিংক

Bush in Britain Defends Iraq Policy - 2003-11-19


President Bush defends his Iraq policy and urges countries worldwide to promote democracy.

In a keynote address on the first day of his three-day visit to Britain, Mr. Bush described the US-led war in Iraq as a last resort, after diplomacy and all other means failed. Speaking at London's Whitehall Palace, the president said sometimes the measured use of force is all that protects us from a chaotic world ruled by violence. He stressed that the United States will continue pursuing its goals.

He said world peace and security rest on three pillars -- international cooperation, promoting democracy and, as a last resort, war.

Mr. Bush said the age of terrorism requires a global response. He said democracy will face this threat and defeat it. The president reaffirmed US commitments to strong multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations. But he said the credibility of the organization depends on its willingness to keep its word -- otherwise he warned it will become irrelevant.

He praised British Prime Minister Tony Blair for his support against terrorism and the war in Iraq, as America's closest ally in the struggle.

Earlier, there was royal pageantry as Britain's Queen Elizabeth welcomed Mr. Bush at Buckingham Palace. Mr. Bush later met briefly with families of British victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Meanwhile, about 350 people marched to Trafalgar Square in an anti-war protest ahead of a mass march outside parliament Thursday.

Protest organizers say they expect more than 100-thousand people to take part. There is unprecedented security in London for the Bush trip, which coincides with a heightened security alert because of possible terrorism. President Bush is to meet Mr. Blair at Downing Street Thursday for talks expected to include plans for the proposed transfer of sovereignty in Iraq to an interim government.

XS
SM
MD
LG