WRAP Comments on Iraq, Putin and Rumsfeld

(21 Dec 2004) 1. US president George W Bush and advisors walking into building 2. Bush walking into briefing room 3. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "We are nearing the end of a year... where... of substantial progress at home here and abroad. In 2004 the United States grew in prosperity, enhanced our security and served the cause of freedom and peace. Our duties continue in the new year. I'm optimistic about achieving results. 4. Media 5. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "My point is the elections in January are just the beginning of a process and it is important for the American people to understand that. As the Iraqi people take these important steps on the path to democracy the enemies of freedom know exactly what is at stake. They know that a democratic Iraq will be a decisive blow to their ambitions because free people never choose to live in tyranny. And so the terrorists will attempt to delay the elections, to intimidate people in their country, to disrupt the democratic process in any way they can. No one can predict every turn in the months ahead and I certainly don't expect the process to be trouble free. Yet I am confident of the result, I am confident that terrorists will fail, the elections will go forward and Iraq will be a democracy that reflects the values and traditions of its people." 6. Bush speaking 7. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "I know how, I know Secretary Rumsfeld's heart. I know how much he cares for the troops. He and his wife go out to Walter Reed in Bethesda all the time to provide comfort and solace. I have seen the anguish, heard the anguish in his voice and seen his eyes when we talk about the danger in Iraq and the fact that youngsters are over there in harm's way and he's a good, decent man. He is a caring fellow. Sometimes perhaps his demeanour is rough and gruff but beneath that rough and gruff no-nonsense demeanour is a good human being who cares deeply about the military and deeply about the grief that the war causes." 8. Briefing room 9. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "As you know Vladimir Putin and I have a good personal relationship. Starting with our meeting in Slovenia, I intend to keep it that way. It is important for Russia and the United States to have the kind of relationship where if we disagree with decisions we can do so in a friendly and positive way." 10. Bush speaking 11. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President: "Early in the year I will also submit a budget that fits the times. We'll provide every tool and resource for our military, we'll protect the homeland and we'll meet other priorities of the government. My budget will maintain strict discipline in the spending of tax dollars and keep our commitment to cutting the deficit in half in five years." 12. White House advisers listening to Bush STORYLINE: In a year-end news conference on Monday US president George W Bush cautioned that January's elections in Iraq will be only the beginning of a long process toward democracy. Bush also warned that militants would attempt to delay the planned January 30 elections and disrupt the democratic process "in any way they can". Bush said he didn't expect the process to be "trouble-free" but he said he was confident the insurgents would fail. It was his 17th solo news conference of his presidency and was part of Bush's effort to seize the momentum from his re-election victory and push several ambitious domestic and foreign policy priorities in his second term. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...