US President George W. Bush, in his first comment since the death of 16 US soldiers in the downing of a helicopter in Iraq, said that the US mission there was "vital" and "America will never run."
"The mission in Iraq is vital," Mr Bush said in a speech to asmall business in Alabama.
"The enemy in Iraq believes America will run. That's whythey're willing to kill innocent civilians, relief workers,coalition troops. America will never run," he said.
Sixteen soldiers were killed yesterday when insurgentsshot down their giant Chinook helicopter near the flashpointtown of Falluja. Mr Bush did not specifically refer to yesterday'sattacks.
Yesterday's was the second deadliest day overall for Americansin Iraq since the war started on March 20th, after 28 soldierswere killed in various attacks on March 23rd. At least 250 USsoldiers have died from hostile fire since the invasion.