Bush Predicts Steady Progress In Iraq
Tells White House News Conference He Was 'Inspired' By Visit To Baghdad
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Play CBS Video Video 'No Zero Violence Expectation' CBS News RAW: President Bush said during a press conference that there should be no expectation of zero violence in Iraq, and that there are other measures to determine success.
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Video Bush On His Trip To Iraq CBS News RAW: President Bush held a press conference at the Rose Garden to discuss his trip to Iraq, where he met Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and U.S. troops.
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Video Bush Shows Support For Iraq Aleen Sirgany reports on President Bush's surprise visit to Baghdad to show support for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and his new coalition government.
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President Bush addresses reporters in the White House Rose Garden, Wednesday, June 14, 2006, after returning from his surprise trip to Iraq. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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President Bush, left, shakes hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right, following their teleconference with members of the U.S. and Iraqi Cabinets at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, June 13, 2006. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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President Bush rides in the cockpit of Air Force One on the final approach before landing in Baghdad on Tuesday, June 13, 2006. (White House Photo/Eric Draper)
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President Bush, left, extends his hand as he is greeted by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad on June 13, 2006. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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Mr. Bush pledged that the U.S. will remain in Iraq until the Iraqis can take care of themselves.
"My message to the enemy is, don't count on us leaving before we succeed."
He predicted Republicans will "hold the House and the Senate because our philosophy is one that is forward-looking and optimistic and has worked."
On another subject, Mr. Bush was asked about three suicides last week among terror suspects being held at the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
"I'd like to close Guantanamo. I also recognize that we're holding some people that are darn dangerous," he said. "Eventually, these people will have trials and they will have counsel."
Human rights organizations and many foreign leaders have urged the United States to shut down the prison.
Mr. Bush also expressed relief that a special prosecutor had decided not to charge top presidential adviser Karl Rove in the CIA leak investigation.
"I trust Karl Rove and he's an integral part of my team," he said.
Of his meeting with al-Maliki, Mr. Bush said, "I saw firsthand the strength of his character and his deep determination to succeed."
"I was inspired to be able to visit the capital of a free and Democratic Iraq," Mr. Bush said of his unannounced visit to Iraq on Tuesday, in which he spent just over 5 ½ hours in the capital.
"We'll seize this moment of opportunity to help the prime minister," Mr. Bush added.
Mr. Bush defended the extremely tight security surrounding his lightning trip to Baghdad. Only a few top aides knew about the trip ahead of time – not even most members of his Cabinet.
Even al-Maliki was only told five minutes before they met. Mr. Bush said that short-notice didn't reflect any lack of trust in the prime minister.
"It's a security concern because I'm a high value target for some," Mr. Bush said. "Iraq's a dangerous place."
Mr. Bush declined to draw any parallels between the U.S. presence in Iraq and its involvement three decades ago in Vietnam.
"I did the right thing in Iraq," he said.
©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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