Bush praises Iraqi forces

2005-10-01 17:05

Washington - US President George W Bush boasted on Saturday of the "increasing effectiveness" of fledgling Iraqi security forces, even after the Pentagon said the number able to fight without US support had dropped.

"As Iraqi forces show they're capable of fighting the terrorists, they are earning the trust and confidence of the Iraqi people, which will ensure the success of a free and democratic Iraq," he said in his weekly radio address.

" I'm encouraged by the increasing size and capability of the Iraqi security forces. Today they have more than 100 battalions operating throughout the country, and our commanders report that the Iraqi forces are serving with increasing effectiveness," he said.

His comments came after the top US commander in Iraq disclosed on Thursday that only a single Iraqi battalion was capable of independent operations and acknowledged conditions may worsen there even if a constitution is approved.

General George Casey told sceptical lawmakers that the number of Iraqi battalions at the highest readiness rating had shrunk from three to one over the past few months because readiness assessments have become more rigorous.

In his radio address, Bush warned of "more difficult and dangerous work" in Iraq and said extremists and insurgents may step up their attacks ahead of an October 15 referendum on the war-torn country's constitution.

"As Iraqis take these next steps on the path to freedom and democracy, the terrorists will do everything they can to stop this progress and try to break our will. They will fail," he said.

"Defeating the terrorists in Iraq will require more time and more sacrifice. Yet all Americans can have confidence in the military commanders who are leading the effort in Iraq, and in the troops under their command," he said.

- AFP