* - "You do not create terrorism by fighting terrorism" - story and pics [View All]

[Kadie]

Bush insists progress being made in Afghanistan
By Steve Holland
11 minutes ago


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In a speech to a friendly military audience, Bush said an increase in militant attacks in eastern Afghanistan was a result of the pressure Islamic extremists are under from Afghan, U.S. and NATO forces.

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"See, the enemy understands what we're doing and they don't like it. That's why they're reacting the way they're reacting. They understand that the arrival of Afghan and coalition forces in the region means that the government is beginning to win the hearts of the people," Bush said.

Despite sharp differences between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf over how best to fight the Taliban, Bush said a White House dinner he had with the two leaders on Wednesday resulted in a cooperative spirit after frank talks.

"We will defeat the Taliban. We will defeat al Qaeda. And the only way to do it is by working together," he said.

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He said the impression his critics want to leave is that by fighting extremists in Iraq, Americans are less safe at home.

"You do not create terrorism by fighting terrorism. If that ever becomes the mindset of the policymakers in Washington, it means we'll go back to the old days of waiting to be attacked and then respond," Bush said.


more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060929/ts_nm/security_bush_dc_1



Audience members listen as President Bush makes remarks on the 'global war on terror' to the Reserve Officers Association in Washington on Friday, Sept. 29, 2006. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)



U.S. President George W. Bush speaks to the Reserve Officers Association about his Administration's War on Terror in Washington September 29, 2006. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES)