Reply #47: Bush Calls for Patience on Iraq Mission [View All]

CRAWFORD, Texas - President Bush on Saturday asked Americans to be patient with the U.S. military mission in Iraq, a request issued as less than half of those polled supported his war policy and thousands of pro-Bush and anti-war demonstrators competed for attention in his tiny hometown.

"Iraqis are working together to build a free nation that contributes to peace and stability in the region, and we will help them succeed," Bush said in his weekly radio address.

He gave no sign of dismay at serious snags in Iraq's democratic process.

In Baghdad, majority Shiites and minority Sunni Arabs remained at odds over the draft constitution. The Shiite-dominated constitution committee planned to submit an amended draft to Iraq's parliament this weekend. Sunnis, unimpressed with a compromise offer, submitted counterproposals and planned to meet with the U.S. ambassador.

One Sunni negotiator, Saleh al-Mutlaq, called on Iraqis to reject the draft constitution in an Oct. 15 referendum.

In his radio address, Bush showed only confidence that the problems would be overcome, saying a new democratic constitution "will be a landmark event" in the Mideast.

http://start.earthlink.net/article/top?guid=20050827/430fe540_3ca6_1552620050827-1744321211

(Um...considering the circumstance, I think we have been.)