Bush asks for $87bn for post-Saddam cleanup
US President George W Bush, in a speech broadcast on American TV Sunday night, said he would ask Congress for $87bn for the next fiscal year to fight terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Speaking from the White House Cabinet Room, he said he would appeal to other countries for more troops and money.
In his 15-minute speech, he said: “Europe, Japan and states in the Middle East all will benefit from the success of freedom in those two countries, and they should contribute to that success.”
Moreover, Mr Bush said he would request all nations, notably France and Germany, who were initially opposed to the war effort to invest in global peace and stability.
“I recognise that not all of our friends agreed with our decision to enforce the Security Council resolutions and remove Saddam Hussein from power. Yet we cannot let past differences interfere with present duties.”
Mr Bush said he would use every tool to hand to emerge victorious in his war on global terror.
The reconstruction of post-war Iraq, continuing instability in the Middle East, were crucial lynchpins for this global effort.
Post-war Iraq appears increasingly precarious for coalition troops and with 140,000 US troops stationed in the region, the President looked to reassure voters that everything was being done to try and hasten the speedy reconstruction of Hussein’s fallen regime.
He said: “Enemies of freedom are making a desperate stand there, and they must be defeated.
“This will take time and require sacrifice
“Yet we will do what is necessary, we will spend what is necessary, to achieve this essential victory in the war on terror, to promote freedom and to make our own nation more secure.”
He added: “The terrorists have cited the examples of Beirut and Somalia, claiming that if you inflict harm on Americans we will run from a challenge
“In this they are mistaken.”
The President’s speech came just four days before the anniversary of the September 11 2001 atrocities.
With this in mind, Mr Bush said: “We are fighting that enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan today, so that we do not meet him again on our own streets, in our own cities.”
Critics say the President is facing re-election and is anxious to quell criticism from Democratic opponents concerned about the US’ expensive unilateral foreign policy.
Mr Bush spoke at 20:30 EDT, 01:30 BST.
