主题：【评论】美伊战争，出路何在？ -- Highway

Bush Says America Will Never Run from Iraq

Mon November 3, 2003 02:56 PM ET

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By Anna Willard

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Reuters) - President Bush, in his first comments since the death of 16 U.S. soldiers in the downing of a helicopter in Iraq, said on Monday America "will never run" from its mission in Iraq and will not be intimidated.

"The enemy in Iraq believes America will run. That's why they're willing to kill innocent civilians, relief workers, coalition troops. America will never run," Bush said in a speech in Alabama.

He did not directly refer to Sunday's helicopter downing, the deadliest single incident for the U.S. occupying force since Bush declared an end to major hostilities on May 1.

Sixteen soldiers were killed when insurgents shot down the giant Chinook helicopter near the flashpoint town of Falluja.

The White House has been reluctant to comment specifically on the incident, leaving it up to others such as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. On Sunday he called it a "tragic day" for America but said there could be others like it.

At least 250 U.S. soldiers have died from hostile fire since the invasion was launched in March and the growing death toll of Americans in Iraq is a sensitive issue for the president as he seeks re-election next year.

Bush blamed "Saddam holdouts" and "foreign terrorists" for the series of attacks.

"This collection of killers is trying to shake the will of America. We will not be intimidated," Bush said in a speech at a later event to raise funds for his re-election campaign.

Polls show public confidence in Bush's handling of Iraq has waned. Asked if he was concerned that Bush is losing support because of Iraq, White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters, "I think that America recognizes that the President is providing strong leadership and taking decisive action."

WAR ON TERRORISM

We mourn every loss, we honor every name" he said, adding, "We will not rest, we will not tire until the danger to America and civilization is removed."

Bush was speaking as the Senate prepared to give final congressional approval to his request for $87.5 billion to finance reconstruction in Iraq and military operations there and in Afghanistan.

The economy, like Iraq, is expected to be a major theme of Bush's campaign for re-election in November next year.

In his speech to 350 small-business owners and employees at CraneWorks, a family-owned crane rental business with 48 employees, Bush said his tax cuts were helping turn the economy around but conceded more work was needed to create jobs.

"By reducing taxes this administration kept a promise we did the right thing at the right time for the American economy," he said.

The government said last week that U.S. economic growth soared 7.2 percent in the July-September period, the fastest pace since the first quarter of 1984, which could provide a major boost for the president in an election year.

But many Americans are struggling to find jobs. Alabama has lost 24,100 jobs in the past year with the greatest jobs losses occurring manufacturing. (Additional reporting by Randall Mikkelsen) Previous.