The Patriot Files Forums  

Go Back   The Patriot Files Forums > International > Terrorism

Post New Thread  Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-17-2008, 12:43 PM
David's Avatar
David David is offline
Administrator
 

Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 46,798
Distinctions
Special Projects VOM Staff Contributor 
Default Bush: 'We are at war with extremists'

AP


WASHINGTON - President Bush said Wednesday that the attack on the U.S. embassy in the capital of Yemen was a reminder that the United States remains "at war" with ideological extremists.

Attackers armed with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and at least one suicide car bomb assaulted the U.S. embassy. Sixteen people were killed, including six assailants, officials said.

"This attack is a reminder that we are at war with extremists who will murder innocent people to achieve their ideological objectives," Bush said after a meeting with Gen. David Petraeus, who handed command over the Multi-National Force in Iraq to Gen. Ray Odierno this week.

"One objective of these extremists is to kill, to try to cause the United States to lose our nerve and to withdraw from regions of the world," Bush said.

It was the deadliest attack on the compound in Yemen that has been targeted four times in recent years by bombings, mortars and shootings. Yemen, the ancestral homeland of Osama bin Laden, has struggled to put down al-Qaida-linked Islamic militants, often to the frustration of U.S. counterterrorism officials.

"Our message is that we want to help governments survive the extremists," Bush said. "We want people to lead normal life. We want mothers to be able to raise their sons and daughters in a peaceful environment so they can realize the hopes and dreams of a better world."

The United States said the attack was a failed attempt to breach the embassy compound's walls.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters that the embassy's security upgrades, combined with the response of security officials, stopped the attackers. He said one U.S. embassy guard from Yemen was killed, along with several Yemeni security officials.

The assault bears "all the hallmarks of an al-Qaida attack," McCormack said.

Bush spoke about the attack during a meeting thanking Petraeus for his service.

In the polarizing war in Iraq, Petraeus has emerged as a respected figure among partisans from all corners.

His strategy for countering the Iraq insurgency is credited by many with rescuing the country from all-out civil war. He presided over Bush's buildup of troops in Iraq last year, an unpopular move that has since been seen as helping to stabilize the country, although political progress remains slow.

Bush said Petraeus was asked to do a very difficult job, and he did it with "distinction and honor."

Petraeus' next assignment, which begins in late October, is even more expansive. As commander of Central Command, based in Tampa, Fla., he will oversee U.S. military involvement across the Middle East, including Iraq, as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan and other Central Asian nations.

"It's great to be home, sir," Petraeus told the president.
sendpm.gif Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bush denounces extremists in the Middle East David Twenty First Century 0 05-15-2008 05:12 AM
28 extremists killed in Baghdad's Sadr City David Iraqi Freedom 0 04-29-2008 05:21 AM
What Extremists are Saying darrels joy General Posts 0 10-27-2006 12:35 PM

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:32 AM.


Powered by vBulletin, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.