President Bush says he instructed Ambassador L. Paul Bremer, the U.S. administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq, to return to Iraq after two days of high level talks in Washington to tell the Iraqi Governing Council that the United States will work with it "to speed up the political process in a rational way.

"That's what he's going to do, on the belief that we've made a lot of progress on the ground (and) that the Governing Council is better prepared to take more responsibility," Bush told reporters November 14.

"In terms of security, we will do whatever it takes to help Iraq develop into a free and peaceful country. That is our goal. And we will stay there until the job is done. And then we'll leave," Bush said.

The terrorists and guerrillas attacking U.S. forces in Iraq, he said, have "changed tactics on the ground, and so we're changing our response.... As the enemy changes, so will we. And we'll bring them to justice, and Iraq will be more secure, and Iraq is going to be free. And that's in the nation's interest that it be so."

The goal, Bush said, "is for Iraq to be free and peaceful. A free and peaceful Iraq will have historic consequences. And we'll find Saddam Hussein. And by being strong and determined, we will achieve that objective."

Bush's remarks came after his meeting in the Oval Office with Italian
President Carlo Ciampi, who he praised for his "strong leadership in standing up to the terrorists" in Iraq.

BUSH SALUTES EFFORTS OF U.S. GUARDSMEN AND RESERVISTS

In a ceremony in the East Room November 14, President Bush signed into law a proclamation proclaiming November 16 through November 22, 2003 as National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week.

The proclamation "honors employers across America who have shown their support for our National Guardsmen and Reservists," Bush said. "In times of need, our nation counts on the Guard and Reserve members to fulfill their commitments of service. We value their courage and we honor their sacrifice. They are defending their nation in the war on terror and they're serving in a just cause."

Today more than 1.2 million men and women serve in the Guard and the Reserve, Bush said, "almost half of America's total military strength. These men and women face the difficult challenge of balancing military duty with civilian employment. They know that the call to active duty can come at any time.

"And they're always ready. Guardsmen and Reservists are now serving around the world -- in places like Afghanistan and in Iraq. They serve here at home, as well, in the war on terror. They're meeting the terrorist enemy abroad so our fellow citizens do not have to face the enemy at home."

American citizen soldiers, Bush said, have served in every conflict since the Revolutionary War, and today the United States needs the Guard and Reserve more than in decades.

"We're at war. Yet we're fortunate that so many of our citizens have heeded the call to serve a cause greater than themselves. And we are fortunate that our Guard and Reserve units have received such support from America's business community," he said.

Attending the ceremony were cabinet members, top U.S. military officers, national guardsmen, reservists, and representatives of several U.S. companies.