US President George W. Bush has asserted the United States is winning the war in Iraq and issued a plea to Americans divided by doubt: "Do not give in to despair and do not give up on this fight for freedom."

In a televised prime-time address late on Sunday (local time), Bush acknowledged setbacks and sacrifice and cautioned there would be more violence and death in the months ahead. "Some look at the challenges in Iraq and conclude that the war is lost and not worth another dime or another day," he said.

Struggling to build confidence in his policy, the president held out hopes for withdrawing American forces as Iraqi troops gain strength and experience.

The president spoke from the Oval Office, where in March 2003, he announced the US-led invasion. Nearly three years later, more than 2,150 US soldiers have died, Bush's popularity has plummeted and about half of Americans think the war was a mistake. Yet a strong majority oppose an immediate withdrawal of US forces.

The address came on the heels of four major speeches in which Bush acknowledged setbacks and surprises in the war and took responsibility for ordering the invasion on the basis of inaccurate intelligence.

Arguing against withdrawal, Bush said that "to retreat before victory would be an act of recklessness and dishonour and I will not allow."

As he has in the past three weeks, Bush acknowledged that missteps and setbacks had occurred and took responsibility for ordering the invasion based on faulty intelligence.

But, he said, "Not only can we win the war in Iraq we are winning the war in Iraq."

He said there were only two options for the United States victory or defeat.

Troop reduction

The Pentagon hopes to be able to reduce US troop levels as Iraqi security forces become more capable of defending their own country, but it is unclear when that point will be reached. The usual US troop level this year of about 138,000 was strengthened to about 160,000 this fall out of concern for a potential rise in violence during voting in October and December.

Acknowledging doubts about his strategy, Bush said, "Some look at the challenges in Iraq, and conclude that the war is lost, and not worth another dime or another day.

"I don't believe that," he said. "Our military commanders do not believe that. Our troops in the field, who bear the burden and make the sacrifice, do not believe that America has lost. And not even the terrorists believe it. We know from their own communications that they feel a tightening noose and fear the rise of a democratic Iraq."

A new poll shows that a strong majority of Americans oppose an immediate withdrawal of US troops. The AP-Ipsos poll found 57 per cent of those surveyed said the US military should stay until Iraq is stabilized.

Despite the faulty intelligence behind his war decision, Bush said the United States was right to remove Saddam Hussein from power.

Bush spoke openly about war doubts and the loss of American lives in Iraq. "This loss has caused sorrow for our whole nation and it has led some to ask if we are creating more problems than we are solving," the president said.

He answered the question by saying that if the United States were not fighting the terrorists in Iraq, "they would be on the offence and headed our way."

'Not losing the war'

Bush said the grim news that Americans see on television about the violence and bloodshed "proves that the war is difficult. It does not mean that we are losing. Behind the images of chaos that terrorists create for the cameras, we are making steady gains with a clear objective in view."

Democrats and Republicans applauded Bush for acknowledging mistakes in Iraq and taking responsibility, but critics say he still has not given Americans a realistic plan that will lead to the withdrawal of US forces.

"While I appreciate the president's increased candour, too much of the substance remains the same and the American people have still not heard what benchmarks we must meet along the way to know that progress is being made" and when the troops "can begin to come home," said Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

Republican Senator John Warner of Virginia, Armed Services Committee chairman, said Bush's speech "was a high-water mark in his acknowledgment that mistakes have been made and that he has to accept his share of the blame."

Source: China Daily