Bush Says Tough Fighting Still Ahead In Iraq

George W. Bush (file photo) (epa) April 29, 2006 -- President George W. Bush today warned of "tough fighting" to come and "more days of sacrifice and struggle" in Iraq.
"Yet the enemies of freedom have suffered a real blow in recent days, and we have taken great strides on the march to victory," Bush said in his weekly radio address. "Iraq's leaders now have laid the foundations for a democratic government of, by, and for the Iraqi people."

Bush saluted the emergence of a permanent government, saying that the new government's formation "marks the beginning of a new chapter in America's involvement."

Bush said the establishment of democracy would prevent terrorists from turning Iraq into a safe haven for planning attacks against other nations.

April has been one of the deadliest for U.S. troops in Iraq. As of late on April 27, at least 69 Americans had died in Iraq in April. The toll was 31 in March, 55 in February, and 62 in January.

(AP, dpa)

Iraq In Transition

Iraq In Transition

THE COMPLETE STORY: RFE/RL's complete coverage of events in Iraq and that country's ongoing transition.