Bush to Iraqis: government, future 'will belong to you'

The Saddam Hussein regime and its "long era of fear and cruelty" are ending, President Bush told the Iraqi people in a radio and television broadcast yesterday. American and coalition forces are in Baghdad, he said, and "will not stop until Saddam's corrupt gang is gone. The government of Iraq, and the future of your country, will soon belong to you."

"We will help you build a peaceful and representative government that protects the rights of all citizens. And then our military forces will leave," Bush said. "Iraq will go forward as a unified, independent and sovereign nation that has regained a respected place in the world."

The president's message, which was recorded April 8 as Bush was meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Northern Ireland, was broadcast at 6:00 p.m. Baghdad time April 10 on the Iraqi state-owned television station that for decades was controlled by the Saddam Hussein regime. It was also carried on television and radio networks in the United States and Europe.

The Baghdad television station is now controlled by the US-led military forces, who will begin broadcasting news, official statements dubbed in Arabic, footage of events, and interviews with Iraqis and influential scholars each evening.