Bush Uses Video Hookup to Bolster Troops in Iraq

Video Transcript

BRIAN KNOWLTON International Herald Tribune
Published: October 13, 2005

WASHINGTON, Oct.13 - President Bush used a new tool - a videoconference hookup - to rally American troops in Iraq today, telling them that they were helping to "defeat a backward, dark philosophy with one that's hopeful."

"We put in motion something that can't be stopped, and that is the march of freedom," Mr. Bush said, while standing at a podium in a room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House, and addressing a large video screen

The video exchange came two days before a referendum in which Iraqis will vote on whether to approve the new constitution. The Bush administration considers passage of the charter a crucial step in Iraq's movement toward a democratic government.

On the screen today could be seen 10 soldiers of the army's 42d Infantry Division, based in Tikrit. They sat stiffly in three tight rows, joined by an Iraqi officer, apparently atop a building, under a blue-gray sky.

While the president asked the troops a half-dozen questions, appearing to do so extemporaneously, the troops evidently had prepared their answers. The format did not lend itself to more frank exchanges.

The event seemed designed both to bolster the troops' morale - "You've got tremendous support here at home," Mr. Bush said, before repeating that point later - and to underscore the determination of the United States in its mission in Iraq, as well as the importance it places on the referendum.While insurgents sought to "shake our will," Mr. Bush said, "I'm going to assure you this: that so long as I'm the president, we're never going to back down, we're never going to give in, we'll never accept anything less than total victory."

The White House has been relatively cautious in commenting on the referendum; the president did not refer specifically to a last-minute change to the constitution made to entice more Sunnis to vote - by extending the possibility of amending it after the December elections. He simply praised the Iraqis for their work.

"I'm very impressed that the Iraqi government has continued to work to have a constitution that attracts Sunnis and Shias and Kurds," Mr. Bush said. "They've worked hard to get a constitution, and now the people of Iraq are going to get to vote once again on a constitution in this case. And I want to thank you for providing the security necessary."

Overall, the presentation was less than smooth. The soldiers sat rigidly, and initially with fixed expressions, though they loosened up after Mr. Bush cracked a few jokes.

When the only woman present, Master Sgt. Corine Lombardo, mentioned Mr. Bush's visit to New York after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, the president interrupted to ask whether she had been there. When she said that she had, he quipped, "Yeah, I thought you looked familiar."

He also pointed out twice, with seeming relish, that the troops were in Tikrit - "Saddam's old stomping grounds."

The president seemed slightly uncomfortable himself, fiddling constantly with his earpiece, perhaps put off by an echo that could be clearly heard over the video hookup.

The soldiers assured Mr. Bush that their work was going well.

Capt. Brent Kennedy told Mr. Bush that as part of Operation Saratoga, more than 1,250 polling sites were being secured for the vote on Saturday. Capt. Steven Pratt of Idaho spoke of "impressive" cooperation with Iraqi forces and promised "a very successful and effective referendum vote."

Capt. David Williams of Los Angeles said that his Iraqi counterpart had assured him that "the Iraqi people are ready and eager to vote in this referendum."

Scott McClellan, the White House spokesman, was asked later about the seemingly rehearsed nature of the soldiers' comments, and specifically whether they "were coached in terms of who would answer what question and how they would pass the microphone."

Mr. McClellan acknowledged that the troops had been briefed on "what to expect," but appeared to take umbrage at the suggestion that the troops' comments were "not sincere."

"The troops can ask the president whatever they want," he said.

According to Geoff Earle of the New York Post - who served as a pool reporter in the room with the president - a deputy assistant to the defense secretary, Allison Barber, could be heard before the event began asking one soldier, "Who are we going to give that (question) to?"

Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, later dismissed Mr. Bush's video conference as a "high tech photo op," and said that the president had operated on a "make it up as we go along" approach that was making victory more difficult to attain.

The Iraqi officer present, who was introduced as Sgt. Maj. Akeel, drew laughter from the Americans, including the president, when his stern countenance was transformed as he gushed to Mr. Bush: "Thank you for everything, sir. Thank you very much for everything - I like you."

The president chuckled and replied, "Well, I appreciate that!"

Mr. Bush himself drew a final laugh when, again thanking the troops, he offered an invitation. "When you get back to the States, you know, if I'm hanging around," he said, "come by and say hello."

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