Iraq Is Returning to Normal, Bush Says [View All]

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Iraq Is Returning to Normal, Bush Says
March 28, 2008
Mclatchy -Tribune News Service

WASHINGTON - President Bush, saying that "normalcy is returning back to Iraq," argued March 27 that last year's U.S. troop "surge" has improved Iraq's security to the point where political and economic progress are blossoming as well.

Bush coupled his description of the situation in Iraq, meant to lay the groundwork for next month's report to Congress by U.S. military and diplomatic chiefs, with a forceful slap at war critics.

"Some ... seem unwilling to acknowledge that progress is taking place," Bush said in a speech at the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. He accused war opponents of constantly shifting their critique, adding: "No matter what shortcomings these critics diagnose, their prescription is always the same - retreat."

In touting progress in Iraq, however, the president appeared to gloss over developments that most would characterize as a far cry from "normalcy," even by Iraqi standards.

As he spoke, Iraqi military forces backed by U.S. airpower were engaged in deadly battles in the southern city of Basra aimed at crushing Shiite Muslim militias, particularly those loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/iraq-is-returning-to-normal-bush-says.html?col=1186032310810