US President George W. Bush yesterday asked Americans to be patient with the military mission in Iraq, with a weekend of boisterous anti-war rallies planned in his tiny Texas hometown and less than half of those polled supportive of his Iraq policy.
"Iraqis are working together to build a free nation that contributes to peace and stability in the region, and we will help them succeed," Bush said in his weekly radio address.
He gave no sign of dismay at serious snags in Iraq's democratic process.
Meanwhile, in Baghdad, the Shiite-dominated constitution committee planned to submit an amended draft to Iraq's parliament this weekend despite opposition from minority Sunni Arabs who rejected a proposed compromise. One Sunni negotiator, Saleh al-Mutlaq, called on Iraqis to reject it in an Oct. 15 referendum.
But Bush showed only confidence that the problems would be overcome, saying a new democratic constitution "will be a landmark event" in the Middle East.
"Like our own nation's founders over two centuries ago, the Iraqis are grappling with difficult issues, such as the role of the federal government," he said, referring to a dispute between Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.
FEAR
Sunnis fear that federalism, demanded by the Shiites and Kurds, would not only establish a giant Shiite state in southern Iraq, but also encourage future bids by the Kurds to expand their region into the northern oil-producing areas.
That would leave the Sunnis cut off from Iraq's oil wealth in the north and south. More than 1 million Sunni Arabs live in areas dominated by Shiites.
"What is important is that Iraqis are now addressing these issues through debate and discussion -- not at the barrel of a gun," Bush said.
The president also hailed Israel's "courageous and painful" removal of Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank, linking that move with Iraq's efforts toward democracy as causes for renewed hope for the broader Middle East.
"People are making the tough choices necessary for a future of security and hope that will make the region and the world more peaceful," Bush said.
The president spoke in unusually strong terms about the Palestinians' obligation to crack down on terrorist attacks in the wake of the Gaza pullout.
"The Palestinians must show the world that they will fight terrorism and govern in a peaceful way," he said.
"We remain fully committed to defending the security and well-being of our friend and ally Israel. We demand an end to terrorism and violence in every form because we know that progress depends on ending terror," he said.
COUNTERING DECLINE
The radio address devoted to optimism about developments in the region was one of a series of remarks by Bush aimed at countering declining poll standings and questions about how long US troops will be kept in Iraq.
Earlier this week, Bush delivered speeches in Idaho and Utah. He plans a third in San Diego, California, on Tuesday focusing on the war on terror and Iraq -- part of a commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.
BACKLASH: The National Party quit its decades-long partnership with the Liberal Party after their election loss to center-left Labor, which won a historic third term Australia’s National Party has split from its conservative coalition partner of more than 60 years, the Liberal Party, citing policy differences over renewable energy and after a resounding loss at a national election this month. “Its time to have a break,” Nationals leader David Littleproud told reporters yesterday. The split shows the pressure on Australia’s conservative parties after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor party won a historic second term in the May 3 election, powered by a voter backlash against US President Donald Trump’s policies. Under the long-standing partnership in state and federal politics, the Liberal and National coalition had shared power
A Croatian town has come up with a novel solution to solve the issue of working parents when there are no public childcare spaces available: pay grandparents to do it. Samobor, near the capital, Zagreb, has become the first in the country to run a “Grandmother-Grandfather Service,” which pays 360 euros (US$400) a month per child. The scheme allows grandparents to top up their pension, but the authorities also hope it will boost family ties and tackle social isolation as the population ages. “The benefits are multiple,” Samobor Mayor Petra Skrobot told reporters. “Pensions are rather low and for parents it is sometimes
CONTROVERSY: During the performance of Israel’s entrant Yuval Raphael’s song ‘New Day Will Rise,’ loud whistles were heard and two people tried to get on stage Austria’s JJ yesterday won the Eurovision Song Contest, with his operatic song Wasted Love triumphing at the world’s biggest live music television event. After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst’s 2014 triumph. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into yesterday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel — whose participation drew protests — on 357 and Estonia on 356. “Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true,” 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose
Two people died and 19 others were injured after a Mexican Navy training ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said yesterday. The ship snapped all three of its masts as it collided with the New York City landmark late on Saturday, while onlookers enjoying the balmy spring evening watched in horror. “At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, 2 of which remain in critical condition, and 2 more have sadly passed away from their injuries,” Adams posted on X. Footage shared online showed the Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtemoc, its sails furled