By Joe Macaron, KUNA
Washington : In his last speech before Congress, US President George W. Bush appeared to stay the course on Iraq and Middle East policy in his last year in office.
“Our enemies in Iraq have been hit hard. They are not yet defeated, and we can still expect tough fighting ahead,” said Bush in his State of the Union address before Congress, late on Monday.
President Bush did not set a deadline for US withdrawal, a priority demand for Democrats who hold the majority in Congress.
“Any further drawdown of U.S. troops will be based on conditions in Iraq and the recommendations of our commanders,” he affirmed warning that any fast drawdown of troops would have a security setback in Iraq.
Bush did not appear on the defensive on Iraq unlike his last State of the Union when violence was at record high.
“When we met last year, many said containing the violence was impossible. A year later, high profile terrorist attacks are down, civilian deaths are down, and sectarian killings are down”, said Bush describing the success of US troops surge in Iraq last year.
He quoted al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden who released a tape last month highlighting the role of Iraqi tribal leaders and coalition forces in fighting al-Qaeda. “Some may deny the surge is working, but among the terrorists there is no doubt. Al Qaida is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated”, said Bush. Bush reiterated his commitment to achieve a peace deal between Palestinians and Israelis by the end of the year in a context of a Palestinian state.
“The time has come for a Holy Land where a democratic Israel and a democratic Palestine live side-by-side in peace”, he said. Bush mentioned Lebanon four times in his speech, first indirectly addressing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, second describing how Lebanese took “the streets to demand their independence”, third to note that “terrorists are fighting to deny this (freedom) choice to people in Lebanon” and last when blaming Iran for supporting Hezbollah.
Bush indeed addressed the Iranian issue in a moderate tone, if compared to previous speeches before Congress, and warned from Tehran’s attempt to acquire a nuclear weapon.
“Wherever freedom advances in the Middle East, it seems the Iranian regime is there to oppose it”, said Bush accusing Tehran of aiding militia groups in Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. Bush asked Iranian leaders to verify the suspension of nuclear enrichment “so negotiations can begin” between the two countries. “America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf”, he affirmed. Bush praised his legacy in seven years, mainly referring to the overthrow of Taliban regime in Afghanistan and holding elections in post war Iraq but also recalled the terrorist attacks on the United States and many places all over the world. “We will stay on the offense, we will keep up the pressure, and we will deliver justice to the enemies of America”, concluded Bush.