sticking to the plan.....thanks Johnny
Bush: Iraq has choice between 'chaos or unity'
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush downplayed fears of civil war in Iraq, but said the war-torn country must choose between "chaos or unity" after one week of sectarian violence left hundreds dead.
In an interview with ABC television, Bush said he would not reduce US troops levels in Iraq in response to a spate of bombings and bloody clashes touched off by last week's bombing of a revered 1,000-year-old Shiite Muslim shrine.
"The US troops will stay there so long as -- until the Iraqis can defend themselves. I mean, my policy has not changed," the president told ABC before leaving for India, Pakistan, and, possibly, Afghanistan.
Asked how he would respond if the violence continues or escalates into civil war, Bush replied: "I don't buy your premise that there's going to be a civil war."