Bush Pays a Surprise Visit to U.S. Troops in Iraq

U.S. President George W. Bush made an unannounced visit to Iraq on the night of Thanksgiving Day, November 27 (local time), to encourage U.S. troops and to emphasize the strong will of the United States in dealing with the aftermath of the Iraqi War and the war against terrorism.

Bush was previously staying at his ranch in nearby Crawford, Texas. He arrived on Air Force One, which was on standby 45 minutes away from the ranch. After a long flight, it touched down at Baghdad International Airport. L. Paul Bremer, the U.S. civilian administrator in Iraq, and Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, commander of coalition forces, warmly welcomed President Bush under tight security. The president then went to a mess hall to share dinner with 600 members of the First Armored Division and the 82nd Airborne Division. After being on the ground for only 2.5 hours, the president then left Baghdad.

“The terrorists are testing our will. They hope we will run,” he said on his speech. “However, we will prevail. We will stay until freedom is established in Iraq.”

President Bush received cheers from the soldiers when he stressed the role of U.S. troops staying in Iraq as guardians of homeland security, saying, “You are fighting against terrorists here instead of being in our homeland.”

He said, “We sacrificed ourselves to defeat a ruthless dictator, Sadam Hussein, and liberate 25 million Iraqi people. You, the soldiers in Iraq, are protecting not only the liberated Iraqis but also the American people from dangers."

The president also met with four members of the Iraq Governing Council and the members of the city of Baghdad while he was at the airport.

maypole@donga.com