(2 May 2003)
1. Wide shot of the USS Lincoln
2. Medium shot of US president George W. Bush walking
3. Wide shot of Bush walking to podium
4. Medium shot of Bush at podium
5. Cutaway to side view of Bush with troops cheering
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President
"Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed."
7. Cutaway to cheering military
8. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President
"Because of you, our nation is more secure. Because of you, the tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free."
9. Cutaway to cheering military
10. SOUNDBITE: (English) George W. Bush, US President
"The liberation of Iraq is a crucial advance in the campaign against terror. We have removed an ally of al-Qaida and cut off a source of terrorist funding. And this much is certain: No terrorist network will gain weapons of mass destruction from the Iraqi regime because that regime is no more."
11. Wide of cheering military
12. Close-up of Bush
13. Wide of deck
12. SOUNDBITE: (English) President George W. Bush, US President
"Nineteen months ago, I pledged that the terrorists would not escape the patient justice of the United States. And as of tonight, nearly one-half of al Qaida's senior operatives have been captured or killed."
13. Cutaway to cheering military
14. SOUNDBITE: (English) President George W. Bush, US President
"Any outlaw regime that has ties to terrorist groups, and seeks or possesses weapons of mass destruction, is a grave danger to the civilised world, and will be confronted."
15. Wide side shot of Bush at podium
16. Audience clapping
17. SOUNDBITE: (English) President George W. Bush, US President
"The transition from dictatorship to democracy will take time, but it is worth every effort. Our coalition will stay until our work is done. And then we will leave - and we will leave behind a free Iraq."
18. Audience cheering
19. Various of Bush waving
20. Medium shot of Bush shaking hands
STORYLINE:
U-S president George W. Bush, aboard an aircraft carrier steaming home from war, said "the United States and our allies have prevailed" against Saddam Hussein and will confront any nation tied to terrorists.
"Major combat operations in Iraq have ended," Bush said on Thursday evening from the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which launched thousands of airstrikes on Iraq.
Bush addressed cheering Navy personnel who crowded on to the deck to hear their commander in chief.
Bush sought to give the United States a closure to the fighting while avoiding a sweeping claim of overall victory.
He said much still needed to be done, including bringing order to the country, finding weapons of mass destruction, creating a democratic government and pursuing leaders of the fallen regime, including Saddam.
But he stopped short of declaring victory or an end to the war.
Such declarations could trigger international laws requiring the speedy release of prisoners of war, limiting efforts to go after deposed Iraqi leaders and designating the United States as an occupying power.
The president reiterated his foreign policy principles, promising to target anyone who plans attacks against the United States and any country that supports terrorists.
While promising to be a "loyal friend" to any nation that helps his anti-terrorist campaign, Bush said: "any outlaw regime that has ties to terrorist groups, and seeks or possesses weapons of mass destruction, is a grave danger to the civilised world, and will be confronted".
He has also dubbed Iraq, Iran and North Korea an "axis of evil".
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
