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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Bush speech hails Iraq 'victory' | Bush speech hails Iraq 'victory' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| President George W Bush has delivered a speech to mark the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq. | President George W Bush has delivered a speech to mark the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq. |
| Speaking at the Pentagon, Mr Bush said "removing Saddam Hussein from power was the right decision". | Speaking at the Pentagon, Mr Bush said "removing Saddam Hussein from power was the right decision". |
| And he went on to say that the recent "surge" of US troops to Iraq has brought about "a major strategic victory in the broader war on terror". | And he went on to say that the recent "surge" of US troops to Iraq has brought about "a major strategic victory in the broader war on terror". |
| The speech comes amid criticism in the US of the war, with some critics pointing to its high cost. | The speech comes amid criticism in the US of the war, with some critics pointing to its high cost. |
| 'Necessary costs' | |
| In his speech, Mr Bush dismissed what he called the "exaggerated estimates" of the cost. | In his speech, Mr Bush dismissed what he called the "exaggerated estimates" of the cost. |
| And he added: "The costs are necessary when we consider the cost of a strategic victory for our enemies in Iraq." | And he added: "The costs are necessary when we consider the cost of a strategic victory for our enemies in Iraq." |
| The BBC's Richard Lister in Washington said that the speech conspicuously lacked any references to Iraqi weapons of mass destruction - the removal of which had been the stated aim of the war. | The BBC's Richard Lister in Washington said that the speech conspicuously lacked any references to Iraqi weapons of mass destruction - the removal of which had been the stated aim of the war. |
| President Bush appeared to be attempting to redefine the invasion as a mission to remove Saddam Hussein, our correspondent said. | President Bush appeared to be attempting to redefine the invasion as a mission to remove Saddam Hussein, our correspondent said. |