“Will Send More Troops to Iraq if Needed”

U.S. President George W. Bush, on May 24, announced, “The U.S. will continue to play an important role as a part of the multinational coalition, even after the June 30 transfer of sovereignty, and will send more troops if needed.”

Bush delivered the address on Monday, which was the day the U.S. and the Britain presented a new U.N. resolution that would authorize a multinational force to maintain peace with Iraq’s consent. During his speech, he outlined five steps of the Iraqi plan that would help Iraq achieve democracy and freedom.

The five steps of the Iraqi plan include: the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi government on June 30, establishing security needed for the birth of democracy, continuous reconstruction of the country, urging international support, and establishing national elections.

However, Bush declared, “Though the multinational forces may stay as the U.N. army, American troops will be under the guidance of an American general.”

He also added that at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit to be held on May 28 and 29 in Istanbul, Turkey, they will discuss NATO`s role in helping Iraq build and secure its democracy.

Regarding the recent Iraqi prison abuse, he said, “The Abu Ghraib Prison became a symbol of disgraceful conduct by a few American troops,” and added, “The U.S. will demolish the Abu Ghraib Prison as a fitting symbol of Iraq`s new beginning.”

Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com