Bush, Kerry spar of handling of Iraq war
(CNN) -- President Bush and Sen. John Kerry on Saturday saluted U.S. troops on Armed Forces Day in the Republican and Democratic radio addresses, but their speeches then veered off into different themes.
Bush listed troop strides and vowed resolve in the war. Kerry, the presumptive Democratic candidate, issued veiled criticism of how the administration has handled the Iraqi campaign.
Bush promised to stay the course against the Iraqi insurgency, stressing that "we must confront the enemy and stay on the offensive until these killers are defeated."
Kerry said the United States has "a duty to build and lead alliances so that our troops and our country will not have to bear almost alone the burdens of defending freedom and defeating the great dangers that now threaten our national safety and global security."
In his address, Bush noted said the "savage execution" of Nicholas Berg, the American beheaded in Iraq, is a reminder of "the true nature of our terrorist enemy and of the stakes in the struggle."
"The terrorists rejoice in the killing of the innocent, and have promised similar violence against Americans, against all free peoples, and against any Muslims who reject their ideology of murder. Their barbarism cannot be appeased, and their hatred cannot be satisfied."
Bush listed strides by the military in Iraq. He said Marines and Iraqi security are conducting joint patrols in the Sunni Triangle town of Fallujah "to take back the city from Saddam loyalists and foreign fighters and other militants." Nearby, Marines raids are thwarting "enemy attacks on supply routes."
Kerry: Troops go to battle as a last resort
Bush said soldiers and security forces are "systematically dismantling" the Muqtada al-Sadr Mehdi Army militia in the Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, where those forces have a strong presence.
"Iraqi security forces ejected elements of this militia from a mosque in Karbala that was being used to store ammunition," said Bush, who pointed to anti-al-Sadr protests and exhortations from the people and religious leaders. He said coalition forces are working to train and build Iraqi security forces.
In the Democrats' address, Kerry, referring to his Naval service during the Vietnam War, said he knew he was "accepting a series of obligations."
"But our fighting men and women are not the only ones who have obligations. Our nation has duties as well."
Kerry said America has a duty to ensure:
"That our troops are sent into battle only as a last resort. This nation should never go to war because it wants to, but only because it has to."If our troops are sent into harm's way, they will have the right leadership, the right training, a clear sense of mission, a clear idea of what they are - and are not - expected to do."There are enough troops to achieve the mission with maximum speed and minimum risk. We have a duty to look ahead so that once victory on the battlefield is won, we have a plan to win the peace." Bush: Military a credit to U.S.
Bush also reiterated that those soldiers who abused Iraqi detainees will be brought to justice.
"My administration and our military are determined that such abuses never happen again" and said "all Americans know that the actions of a few do not reflect the true character of the United States armed forces."
He also praised the soldiers in Afghanistan and said "no military in the history of the world has fought so hard and so often for the freedom of others."
"Our servicemen and women are defending America with unselfish courage, and their achievements have brought pride and credit to this nation."
Kerry said the United States has "a duty to guarantee that, when mistakes are made, those responsible are held accountable whether they are at the bottom of the chain of command or at the top."
