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Bush heralds Iraqi freedom from 'grip of fear'White House: 'The regime is gone'
BETHESDA, Maryland (CNN ) -- President Bush on Friday heralded the demise of Saddam Hussein's regime, declaring that Iraqis are now free from a "grip of fear," but he stopped short of declaring victory in Iraq. "I don't know the whereabouts of Saddam Hussein," Bush said after meeting with wounded services members at National Naval Medical Center. "I don't know if he's dead or alive. I do know he's no longer in power." The president, with the first lady at his side, told reporters that the war would end when Gen. Tommy Franks, commander of Central Operations, told him the war's objective had been achieved. Bush described that as ridding Iraq of "any vestiges of Saddam Hussein and his regime" and disarming the country of weapons of mass destruction. Bush's comments were preceded earlier in the day by statements from White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer that "the regime is gone" and Gen. Tommy Franks, commander of the U.S. Central Command, who said Saddam and his regime are "either dead or running like hell." The comments marked the bluntest assessments yet from administration and military leaders that Saddam had been swept from power in the face of a U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Events escalated this week in Baghdad when coalition forces entered the capital city and were greeted Wednesday by jubilant Iraqis who tore down images of Saddam and looted government buildings. "I don't think I'll ever forget -- I'm sure a lot of other people will never forget -- the statue of Saddam Hussein falling in Baghdad and then seeing the jubilation on the faces of ordinary Iraqis as they realized the grip of fear that had them by the throat had been released," Bush said. The president also called on Syria for its "full cooperation," following statements from administration figures who say the country has allowed fighters and military supplies to flow into Iraq. Syria has denied the charge, but a senior administration official told CNN Friday that Syria has sealed its border with Iraq, stopping the flow of volunteers wishing to fight for Saddam's regime. Bush, however, indicated he was also concerned about senior members of the Iraqi leadership fleeing Iraq into Syria. "We strongly urge them not to allow for Baath Party members or Saddam's family or generals on the run to seek safe haven and find safe haven there," Bush said. The president praised the members of the armed services for their sacrifices in the war, particularly those who have been wounded. The president said he and the first lady were particularly moved by a swearing-in ceremony for two wounded Marines. One was a man from Mexico; the other from the Philippines. "They wore the uniform of the United States military. And Laura and I got to see them sworn in as citizens. It was a very profound moment," Bush said. The president visited two military hospitals Friday -- Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington and the National Naval Medical Center in nearby Bethesda, Maryland. He presented Purple Heart awards to several soldiers, sailors and Marines wounded in the war.(Full story) "It's an honor to have spoken to them and have been with them and their families today," Bush said. The president vowed to "use every resource" to find and rescue American prisoners of war. "We pray that they are alive, because if they are, we'll find them," he said. --Written by CNN.Com Producer Sean Loughlin in Washington with reporting from Senior White House Correspondent John King.
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