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The ongoing war in Iraq was "making good progress" although it was "far from close", US President George W. Bush said on Wednesday in Tampa, Florida, where the US Central Command headquarters is based.
"It has been six days since the major ground war began. It has been five days since the major airstrikes began...The world has witnessed the skill of our military...We have moved forward 200 miles to the north (towards Baghdad)," Bush boasted. "We will be relentless in pursuit of victory," he said, adding that the elite Iraqi Republican Guard were under fierce attack from coalition forces.
"We will stay on path...all the way to Baghdad...That day is drawing near...The Iraqi men and women deserve to stand on their feet," the president said.
"We have no ambition in Iraq except to liberate its people," Bush stressed.
He also promised that US forces would treat all the Iraqi prisoners of war decently and humanely.
At the start of his speech, Bush extended his thanks as the Commander-in-Chief of the US armed forces to all those who displayed their "service, sacrifice and love for America. "Bush also thanked troops from Britain, Australia and other allied nations for their full support given to the United States.
(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2003)
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