Bush vows to stay course as soldiers die in Iraq

BAGHDAD - One US soldier was shot dead and another was killed in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Iraq, the US military said on Thursday, but President George W Bush vowed Washington would press on with its mission here.

The deaths raised to 31 the number of US soldiers killed by hostile fire in Iraq since May 1, when Bush declared major combat over in the war that ousted president Saddam Hussein.

US troops and officials have tried to switch to civilian reconstruction projects and efforts to revive the economy and recast the political landscape. But their attempts have been made more difficult by persistent violence against them.

"There's no question we've got a security issue in Iraq," Bush told reporters in Botswana, the latest stop in a visit to Africa. "We're going to have to deal with it person-by-person. We're going to have to remain tough."

The US military said one soldier was killed when his convoy came under small arms fire near Al Mahmudiyah, about 40 km south of Baghdad, on Wednesday evening.

Around four hours later, assailants fired rocket-propelled grenades at a convoy north of Baghdad, killing a soldier from the US army's Fourth Infantry Division and wounding another, US Central Command said in a statement.

Bush insisted the United States was making "steady progress" in establishing security and rebuilding Iraq.

"It's important for us to stay the course. We will stay the course," he said.

Bush's acknowledgment of a security problem marked a shift in tone from his "Bring them on" taunt to Iraqi militants last week when asked about the escalating attacks on US troops.

In Baghdad, Iraq's US administrator Paul Bremer discussed details of a proposed transitional national governing council -- expected to have some executive powers -- with leading political groups.

"I believe that we will see an Iraqi government emerging before the end of the month," said Entifadh Qanbar, a spokesman for one of the main groups, the Iraqi National Congress.

Analysts say getting Iraqi leaders directly involved in government could help reduce opposition to the US-led occupation among ordinary Iraqis.

US officials have blamed isolated remnants of Saddam's security forces for the attacks on their troops.

"Once again the apologists for Saddam Hussein are bringing misery on their country," Bush said.

Two audio tapes purportedly recorded by Saddam have called on Iraqis to fight the occupation. US officials have said the tapes may encourage his supporters to carry out attacks but they insist Iraqis will realise over time Saddam is finished.

But some Iraqis say the attacks reflect more widespread opposition to the US-led occupation of their country.

The Arabic satellite channel al-Jazeera reported on Thursday it had received a message claiming responsibility for attacks on US forces from a group called the Iraqi National Islamic Resistance which said it had no ties to Saddam.

US forces have come under attack most often in Baghdad and mainly Sunni Muslim areas to the north and west of the city which were bastions of support for Saddam, himself a Sunni.

Iraqi police called on Thursday for US forces to leave one flashpoint town, Falluja 50 kilometres west of Baghdad, threatening to quit in 48 hours if their demands were not met.

After overnight rocket-propelled grenade attacks on their police station and a local government building, more than 100 members of the US-backed police force protested in the town. They said the presence of the troops was provoking violence.

"We have the ability to protect these sites," said Riyadh Abdel-Latif, the Iraqi police chief in the town. "The presence of Americans endangers us. We asked the Americans more than a month and a half ago to leave Falluja."

Residents said US forces withdrew just before darkness on Thursday from positions around the buildings that were attacked but it was unclear if the move was permanent.

Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, the commander of US forces in Iraq, said his eventual aim was to hand security in the town to Iraqis but US troops would have to stay for now.

Asked what would happen if the police officers resigned, he said: "We'll find some more. We'll continue to ensure that the security and stability is there."

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq