Aboard Air Force One - United States President George Bush said on Tuesday that he hoped security in Iraq will have markedly improved by the time he leaves office in 2009 but that it is "impossible" to end all violence there.
"If the standard is no violence, that's an impossible standard to meet," he told reporters in a roughly 36-minute discussion aboard his presidential aircraft Air Force One after wrapping up a surprise visit to Baghdad.
"If the standard is a government that is beginning to gain the confidence of the people, because they're taking wise action in terms of helping return normalcy, then I believe this government will meet that standard," he said.
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Bush was referring to the fledgling government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who has made securing Baghdad and curbing violence by militia groups key priorities. Bush and Maliki met face-to-face for the first time on Tuesday.
Bush, asked whether he thought that the situation in Baghdad would improve enough that he will not need to come in secret, replied: "I would certainly hope so. I would hope that the security situation in Baghdad would improve."
"I think if you were to say success in Iraq means no violence, I don't think that's an accurate way to judge success or failure. There are suiciders, car bombers, who are willing to kill people," the US president said.
"The objective in Iraq and Baghdad is to create a sense of order so the people feel more comfortable about their government in going along about their lives. I don't think the Iraqi government can guarantee complete absence of any violence," he said. - Sapa-AFP
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