STRATEGY SHIFT IN PRESS CONFERANCE FROM ---NO MISTAKES MADE, STAY THE COURSE, TO -- MISTAKES WERE MADE, STAY THE COURSE

Bush, Blair Concede Missteps on Iraq

But Leaders Say War Was Justified

FIRST, THE BAD NEWS

• series of errors have made the conflict more difficult and more damaging to the U.S. image abroad,

• inappropriate "tough talk" -- such as saying "bring 'em on" in reference to insurgents -- that he said "sent the wrong signal to people."

• the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, in which guards photographed themselves sexually tormenting Iraqi prisoners, spawning revulsion worldwide.

• should have recognized that the fall of president Saddam Hussein would not "be the rise of a democratic Iraq, that it was going to be a more difficult process"

• Iraq war has, you know, created a sense of consternation here in America,"

• Blair Cited the process of "de-Baathification" fueled the insurgency because it threw tens of thousands of Iraqis out of work and left an administrative vacuum,

• (The de-Baathification program was issued as Coalition Provisional Authority Order Number 1 on May 16, 2003, by L. Paul Bremer III, the chief of the U.S. occupation in 2003-2004)

• (The prime minister's examples appeared to be a direct rebuke of both the Pentagon's insistence that a detailed "nation-building" plan was unnecessary before the invasion and the push by key members of Bush's administration for broad de-Baathification.)

BUT THINGS ARE REALLY GOING GOOD

• repeatedly emphasized that Iraq is finally turning a corner and that,

• enough progress has been made that other nations should support the nascent Iraqi government.

• whatever their other misjudgments, the decision to attack Iraq remains justified.

• the sacrifice is worth it and it's necessary.

• Iraq now has a permanent government, other nations and international organizations -- such as the United Nations -- now have an obligation to step forward.

• it is also the duty of the whole of the international community, to get behind this government and support it
  
  

FINALLY, THE EXXON MOBIL / CHEVRON CLAUSE

• Bush added, saying said U.S. troops would not leave the country until Iraq is able to sustain, defend and govern itself.

MOVE ALONG FOLKS, NOTHING TO SEE HERE


Tony Blair George Bush Press Conference