Menu
28/11/2003
President Bush joins troops in whirlwind Iraq visit
President George Bush has made a surprise visit to US troops stationed in Iraq for impromptu Thanksgiving celebrations.
Coalition administrator Paul Bremer was finishing a speech to 600 troops at the start of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, when Mr Bush arrived for a whirlwind 2½-hour visit.
He told the assembled troops: "I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere. Thanks for inviting me. I can't think of a finer group of folks to have Thanksgiving dinner with than you all," he added.
"I bring a message on behalf of America: we thank you for your service. We're proud of you, and America stands solidly behind you.
"Together you and I have taken an oath to defend our country. You're honouring that oath. The United States military is doing a fantastic job."
He went on to tell the troops that, by helping to build a "peaceful and democratic country in the heart of the Middle East", they were defending the American people "from danger, and we are grateful".
He also restated the United States' commitment creating stability in the region.
"They hope we will run. We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost in casualties, defeat a brutal dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins to raucous, sustained whoops of approval from the service members," he said.
Mr Bush concluded: "I'm proud to be your commander in chief. I bring greetings from America. May God bless you all."
The president then posed for photos and helped serve up turkey to the troops.
The US president was back in the air by 8pm local time.
(gmcg)
Coalition administrator Paul Bremer was finishing a speech to 600 troops at the start of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, when Mr Bush arrived for a whirlwind 2½-hour visit.
He told the assembled troops: "I was just looking for a warm meal somewhere. Thanks for inviting me. I can't think of a finer group of folks to have Thanksgiving dinner with than you all," he added.
"I bring a message on behalf of America: we thank you for your service. We're proud of you, and America stands solidly behind you.
"Together you and I have taken an oath to defend our country. You're honouring that oath. The United States military is doing a fantastic job."
He went on to tell the troops that, by helping to build a "peaceful and democratic country in the heart of the Middle East", they were defending the American people "from danger, and we are grateful".
He also restated the United States' commitment creating stability in the region.
"They hope we will run. We did not charge hundreds of miles into the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost in casualties, defeat a brutal dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins to raucous, sustained whoops of approval from the service members," he said.
Mr Bush concluded: "I'm proud to be your commander in chief. I bring greetings from America. May God bless you all."
The president then posed for photos and helped serve up turkey to the troops.
The US president was back in the air by 8pm local time.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 July 2005
World leaders unite in condemnation of London attacks
World leaders attending the G8 summit at Gleneagles have united in condemnation of the terror attacks in London on Thursday morning. Prime Minister Tony Blair read a joint statement from the leaders before he left the summit to return to the capital. The statement said: “We condemn utterly these barbaric attacks.
World leaders unite in condemnation of London attacks
World leaders attending the G8 summit at Gleneagles have united in condemnation of the terror attacks in London on Thursday morning. Prime Minister Tony Blair read a joint statement from the leaders before he left the summit to return to the capital. The statement said: “We condemn utterly these barbaric attacks.
11 April 2003
Blair and Bush broadcast Iraqi freedom message
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the people of Iraq that a “new and better future beckons” for their country. Mr Blair's message was carried via 'Towards Freedom TV', which was broadcast with Arabic subtitles direct to the people of Iraq from an airborne transmitter flying over Baghdad.
Blair and Bush broadcast Iraqi freedom message
British Prime Minister Tony Blair has told the people of Iraq that a “new and better future beckons” for their country. Mr Blair's message was carried via 'Towards Freedom TV', which was broadcast with Arabic subtitles direct to the people of Iraq from an airborne transmitter flying over Baghdad.
22 February 2005
Australia to send more troops to Iraq
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has announced plans to send more Australian troops to Iraq. Speaking in Canberra today, Mr Howard announced that an extra 450 Australian troops will be sent to Iraq, to protect Japanese engineers working in the al-Muthanna province in the south of the country.
Australia to send more troops to Iraq
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has announced plans to send more Australian troops to Iraq. Speaking in Canberra today, Mr Howard announced that an extra 450 Australian troops will be sent to Iraq, to protect Japanese engineers working in the al-Muthanna province in the south of the country.
19 March 2004
Nato reinforcements arrive in Kosovo
As the initial deployments of additional KFOR troops arrive in the region, the Nato Council was meeting again today to re-assess the security situation in Kosovo. In an effort to bring the outbreak of ethnic violence under control as quickly as possible, additional troops from the operational and strategic reserve were being deployed.
Nato reinforcements arrive in Kosovo
As the initial deployments of additional KFOR troops arrive in the region, the Nato Council was meeting again today to re-assess the security situation in Kosovo. In an effort to bring the outbreak of ethnic violence under control as quickly as possible, additional troops from the operational and strategic reserve were being deployed.
17 November 2003
14,000 police officers swamp London for Bush visit
Up to 14,000 officers are expected to be on duty in London during President Bush's three-day state visit – the first by a US president since Woodrow Wilson in 1918. The UK security cordon will also be supplemented by hundreds of US secret service agents when the president arrives tomorrow morning.
14,000 police officers swamp London for Bush visit
Up to 14,000 officers are expected to be on duty in London during President Bush's three-day state visit – the first by a US president since Woodrow Wilson in 1918. The UK security cordon will also be supplemented by hundreds of US secret service agents when the president arrives tomorrow morning.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Very windy with persistent and occasionally heavy rain at first, becoming drier with the wind easing towards midday. Mainly dry with bright spells increasing during the afternoon. Milder than of late. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with clear spells, mainly dry evening becoming windy with rain at times from late evening. Turning drier with clear spells towards morning. Milder than of late. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
