President Bush Friday told U.S. soldiers they may be called into combat "to secure our country and to keep the peace."
If it comes to war, "this generation of Americans is ready," Bush said. "We accept the burden of leadership. We act in the cause of peace and freedom. And in that cause we will prevail."
Bush delivered his speech while emphasizing war is a last resort.
Iraq, he said, is a "great threat to the United States," and Saddam Hussein has "publicly proclaimed his hatred for our country." Saddam has used weapons of mass destruction, has defied U.N. resolutions that he disarm and, most recently, "did not even attempt to submit a credible declaration" to the United Nations on his alleged stockpiles of weapons and his programs to develop more.
In London, The Telegraph reported Saturday that the British Government would order more than 20,000 troops to the Gulf and the mobilization of around 7,000 reservists next week in preparation for a war in Iraq.
Defense chiefs were given plans Friday for the deployment, which includes a Royal Navy force led by the aircraft carrier Ark Royal and a reduced-strength 1 (UK) Armoured Division.
They will brief British Prime Minister, Tony Blair when he and his family return from holiday in Egypt. Blair is then expected to announce the deployment next week.
"If force becomes necessary to secure our country and to keep the peace, America will act deliberately, America will act decisively and America will prevail, because we've got the finest military in the world," Bush said.
"I know that every order I give can bring a cost. I also know, without a doubt, that every order I give will be carried out with skill and unselfish courage... Some crucial hours may lie ahead. We know the challenges and the dangers we face."
"Should Saddam Hussein seal his fate by refusing to disarm, by ignoring the opinion of the world, you'll be fighting not to conquer anybody, but to liberate people," he told the troops. "No matter what their oppressors may say, the people of Iraq have no love for tyranny."
Following weekly prayers on Friday thousands filled the streets of Pakistani cities warning the United States to stay out of Iraq.
"If the United States attacks Iraq, there will be open war here," Maulana Samiul Haq, a leader of the newly Islamic party alliance, shouted before protestors outside Islamabad's Red Mosque.
"War against Iraq is war against Islam," protestors chanted as they marched through Lahore, AFP reported.
In Bahrain, hundreds took to the streets after prayers for a second consecutive Friday to show solidarity with Iraq.
"Iraq will be but the first step in a scheme ushering in US occupation of the whole Gulf region and control of its resources... through the overthrow of some regimes," said Hassan al-Aali, who heads a non-governmental organization in Bahrain that was one of the organizers of the protest.
"No bases, no assistance (to US attack on Iraq), no stockpiling (of US equipment)," the protestors chanted. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
