President Bush says the United States is winning the war in Iraq, and urges the American people -- in his words -- "not to give up on this fight for freedom."
During a nationally televised address late Sunday, the president hailed the recent elections to establish what he described as a "constitutional democracy at the heart of the Middle East," but he warned that insurgent violence would continue. Mr. Bush admitted some of his decisions have led to "terrible loss," referring to the 21-hundred U.S. troops killed since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. But he warned that a quick withdrawal would be an "act of recklessness and dishonor."
U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (Wisconsin)
of the opposition Democratic Party says Mr. Bush needs to put forward a timetable to withdraw troops from Iraq. After the president's speech on Iraq Sunday, Mr. Feingold called the president's Iraq policy "misguided," saying it is undermining America's efforts to combat al-Qaida and its allies. But Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (Tennessee) -- a leader of Mr. Bush's own Republican Party -- says the president outlined "a brave and bold vision for the future of Iraq."
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has sworn in members of the country's first democratically elected parliament in more than 30 years. Describing today's (Monday's) ceremony as an important step toward democracy, Mr. Karzai said the gathering of 351 new lawmakers proves that the "people of Afghanistan are united." Parliament was adjourned after the largely ceremonial opening session.
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