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Inside Politics

Bush: Iraq elections won't end U.S. mission

In weekly radio address, president praises Iraqis for courage


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George W. Bush

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush praised the Iraqi people on the eve of their historic elections Saturday for their "courage and determination" and pledged that U.S. involvement in Iraq will not end after the vote.

"As democracy takes hold in Iraq, America's mission there will continue," Bush said in his weekly radio address.

"Our military forces, diplomats and civilian personnel will help the newly elected government of Iraq establish security and train Iraqi military police and other forces."

Bush said Iraqis are risking their lives to elect a new government.

"In the face of assassination, brutal violence and calculated intimidation, Iraqis continue to prepare for the elections and to campaign for their candidates," he said.

"They know what democracy will mean for their country: a future of peace, stability, prosperity and justice for themselves and for their children."

Bush said the vote is a direct threat to terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and the violent insurgency, but added that "terrorist violence will not end with the election."

"Yet the terrorists will fail, because the Iraqi people reject their ideology of murder," he said.

The Iraqi vote, the first free election in more than 50 years, will have worldwide implications for the global war on terrorism, Bush said.

"As hope and freedom spread, the appeal of terror and hate will fade," Bush said. "And there is not a democratic nation in our world that threatens the security of the United States.

"The best way to ensure the success of democracy is through the advance of democracy."

"Tomorrow's election will add to the momentum of democracy."


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