'Example of democracy rising'

2004-05-06 09:43

Washington - President George W Bush exulted on Wednesday that Saddam Hussein's "torture chambers are closed," fuelling a political rally with tough talk hours after contritely vowing to punish US abuse of Iraqi prisoners.

"Because we acted, an example of democracy is rising at the very heart of the Middle East. Because we acted, the world is more free and America is more secure," he told cheering supporters in a pitch for his reelection.

Taking aim at critics of the US-led ouster of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and the subsequent occupation of Iraq, Bush proclaimed: "Because our coalition acted, Saddam's torture chambers are closed."

Bush did not mention the global outcry and Muslim anger over the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers as he energised fellow Republicans at party gala with promises to defeat terrorism and strengthen the US economy.

Earlier, he had made an extraordinary personal appeal in a bid to shore up eroded US credibility in the Muslim world and to soothe Arab anger over the graphic evidence of abuse at US-run prisons in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In interviews with the US-based and sponsored al-Hurra Arab language television station which broadcasts to the Middle East, and the Dubai-based al-Arabiya satellite network, Bush promised to punish those responsible, but he left the apologies to his subordinates.

"People in Iraq need to understand that I view these practices as abhorrent," he told al-Hurra. "What took place in that prison does not represent the America that I know."

- AFP