Bush admits heavy casualties in Iraq are depressing Americans [View All]

First Published 2005-01-26, Last Updated 2005-01-26 17:33:41




Bush admits heavy casualties in Iraq are depressing Americans


US president says his country could not run away from its long-term aim of spreading freedom despite mounting US casualties in Iraq.


WASHINGTON - Facing the deadliest day for American forces since the invasion of Iraq 22 months ago, President George W. Bush acknowledged Wednesday that heavy US military casualties there were depressing his people.

"The story today is going to be very discouraging to the American people. I understand that. We value life. We weep and mourn when soldiers lose their life," Bush said at his first news conference of the year.

He spoke as reports from Baghdad indicated that more than 30 US troops were killed Wednesday in a helicopter crash and four more died in attacks, the biggest single loss of American life in the insurgency-wracked nation since the 2003 invasion.

More than 1,370 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the March 2003 US-led invasion that ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, according to Pentagon figures released earlier this month.
(snip/...)

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=12528