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Bush: 'We're slowly but surely achieving our objective'
(CNN) -- President Bush spoke with reporters as he returned to the White House from Camp David on Sunday. This is a transcript of those remarks. BUSH: I am pleased with the progress that we're making in the early stages of the war to rid Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction and to free the Iraqi people from the clutches of a brutal dictatorship. Today, in our church service, Laura and I prayed for those in the coalition forces who lost their lives. We pray for their families. We ask God's comfort for those who mourn today. And we thank all the coalition forces for their bravery and courage in Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is evident that it's going to take a while to achieve our objective, but we're on course. We're determined. And we're making good progress. I'll answer a few questions. QUESTION: (Inaudible) BUSH: I've been briefed. I'm constantly briefed by the Pentagon, through the National Security Office. I don't know all the details yet. I do know that we expect them [the U.S. POWs] to be treated humanely, just like we'll treat any prisoners of theirs that we capture humanely. I think it's an interesting contrast that a lot of their soldiers welcome American troops. They're surrendering gleefully and happily, and they'll be treated well. And I ask you to ask the Defense Department for other details. QUESTION: (Inaudible) BUSH: I know that Saddam Hussein is losing control of his country, that we're slowly but surely achieving our objective. It's important for the American people to realize that this war has just begun, that it may seem like a long time because of all the action on TV, but in terms of the overall strategy, we're just in the beginning phases, and that we're executing a plan which will make it easier to achieve objectives and, at the same time, spare innocent life. And I am most proud of our troops and coalition troops, for showing their bravery and skill. QUESTION: (Inaudible) BUSH: Yes, it is. ... The air campaign is achieving its objective and the ground campaign is also achieving objectives. We're slowly but surely taking control of that country, so that we free the people of Iraq and eventually clear that country of weapons of mass destruction. We've made good progress. One of the big concerns early on was the southern oil fields. As you all remember, we had discussions about that. There was a lot of speculation about whether or not coalition forces would be able to get to the southern oil fields in time so that Saddam Hussein wouldn't destroy them. As a matter of fact, I had frequently talked about the southern oil fields, or oil fields in general, in my declaratory policy. Tommy Franks put a plan in place that moved on those oil fields quickly. And at least in the south, they are secure. And that is positive news for all of us. Most of the south is now in coalition hands. Obviously, there [are] pockets of resistance in a place like Basra. We're making great progress. In the west, we're making great progress. The area of the launch sites for the Scuds, while certainly not 100 percent secure, but we've made good progress. And so, I can assure the American people that we're making good progress, and also can assure them that this is just the beginning of a tough fight. QUESTION: (Inaudible) BUSH: I have not been told that. I have been told that we have a problem with potential capture. ... When I get back upstairs, I'll talk back to the Pentagon again. I was told early this morning that perhaps our troops were captured, maybe, you know, between the time I left Camp David and here. I'll learn more. But I am concerned about our troops. Obviously, any time one of our soldiers loses a life, I grieve with their parents and their loved ones. And if there is somebody captured -- and it looks like there may be -- I expect those people to be treated humanely. QUESTION: Sir, what is your level of confidence that the Iraqi regime will surrender or collapse before U.S. forces need to engage in fights in Baghdad? BUSH: All I know is that we've got a game plan, a strategy, to free the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein and rid his country of weapons of mass destruction, and we're on plan. QUESTION: Iraqi TV has shown what appear to be American POWs, and also what appear to be American dead. BUSH: I expect the POWs to be treated humanely, just like we're treating the prisoners that we have captured humanely. If not, the people who mistreat the prisoners will be treated as war criminals. QUESTION: Mr. President, do you retain hope that Saddam Hussein will go into exile? And are there any active negotiations? BUSH: You know, Mike, he had his chance to go into exile. I gave him a 48-hour ultimatum to leave the country so that we could disarm Iraq peacefully. He chose not to go into exile. QUESTION: Mr. President, how concerned are you about the situation in the north and Turkey saying that they will send troops in there and the Americans might get caught in some kind of crossfire? BUSH: We have got more troops up north, and we're making it very clear to the Turks that we expect them not to come into northern Iraq. We're in constant touch with the Turkish military, as well as Turkish politicians. They know our policy, and it's a firm policy. And we've made it very clear to them we expect them not to go into northern Iraq, and they know we're working with the Kurds to make sure there's not an incident that would cause there to be an excuse to go into northern Iraq. QUESTION: Mr. President, what do you say to the families [of those] killed or captured and ... paraded on television for the world... BUSH: I say to the families, I thank them for the sacrifice they make, and we pray with them. I pray for God's comfort and God's healing powers to anybody, coalition force, American, Brit, anybody who loses a life in our efforts to make the world more peaceful and more free. QUESTION: Mr. President, are you surprised the enemy has not used any weapons of mass destruction? BUSH: I am thankful the enemy has not used any weapons of mass destruction. And we will continue employing a strategy to make it difficult for the enemy to use weapons of mass destruction. QUESTION: Mr. President, what will you be telling the congressional leaders tomorrow about the cost... BUSH: Wait until I talk to them. Probably best they hear it directly from me. QUESTION: (Inaudible) BUSH: Yes, good question. I appreciate you asking that question. The question is on humanitarian aid. In the south of Iraq, our coalition forces have worked hard to make the port area secure, to make the transit of humanitarian aid as safe as possible. As I was told this morning in my briefings ... massive amounts of humanitarian aid should begin moving within the next 36 hours. And that's going to be very positive news for a lot of people who've suffered a long time under Saddam Hussein. We've got a massive ground assault going on, and right behind it will be a massive movement of humanitarian aid to help the people of Iraq. We have made that promise to the people of this country that we will do everything we can to protect innocent life, and we're doing that, and we'll do everything we can to help the Iraqi people. First thing, of course, that will help the Iraqi people is to rid them from a brutal dictator, somebody who has stayed in power through mutilation and rape and torture. Somebody who's starved his own people so he could build palaces. When free from that dictatorship, life will be a lot better. But we also understand we have an obligation -- and this is just not America, it's coalition forces -- have an obligation to put food and medicine in places so the Iraqi people can live, you know, a normal life and have hope. And that's exactly what's going to happen shortly when the area is completely safe enough to move the equipment forward. QUESTION: How are you holding up, sir? BUSH: I feel just fine.
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