President George W. Bush traveled to Baghdad and paid a surprise Thanksgiving Day visit to US troops today in an effort to boost the morale of forces in Iraq amid mounting casualties.
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Mr Bush: surprise visit to Iraq
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In an elaborate plan to ensure his security, Mr Bush slipped away from his Texas ranch last night, arrived in Iraq today and spent almost three hours with the troops.
"I bring a message on behalf of America: We thank you for your service, we are proud of you and America stands solidly behind you," Mr Bush told about 600 soldiers, who were stunned to see the president emerge from a side door inside a military mess hall at Baghdad International Airport.
The troops, mostly from the US Army's 1st Armored Division and the 82nd Airborne, had no idea Mr Bush would be there.
Six months after he declared major combat operations over in Iraq with a controversial visit to an aircraft carrier, only to see a guerrilla insurgency ensue, Mr Bush vowed to stay the course.
"You are engaged in a difficult mission. Those who attack our coalition forces and kill innocent Iraqis are testing our will. They hope we will run," he said.
"We did not charge hundreds of miles through the heart of Iraq, pay a bitter cost of casualties, defeat a ruthless dictator and liberate 25 million people only to retreat before a band of thugs and assassins."
Mr Bush also met with four members of the Iraqi Governing Council, the US-appointed group that has struggled to return normal life to Iraqis and is drawing up plans for free elections and a constitution.
The mission was a closely held secret at the White House known only by a handful of senior aides. Aides said Mr Bush made the decision to go five or six weeks ago while on a trip to Asia.
It was so secret that Bush's parents, former President George Bush and Barbara Bush were not told. He only told his wife where he was going hours before leaving and informed his daughters, Barbara and Jenna, just before departing.