The Great White Chief speaks

national | miscellaneous | news report Saturday March 22, 2003 23:10 by uncle samuel

Bush Meets War Council, Says War May Be Difficult

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush reviewed the latest reports of fighting along the Iraqi frontlines on Saturday and warned Americans the war could be "longer and more difficult" than some thought. As U.S.-led forces rolled toward Baghdad, Bush convened his war council at the Camp David presidential retreat in rural Maryland and vowed to use "decisive force" to bring down the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, whose fate was unclear after a Wednesday night missile strike. Bush also spoke by telephone with Prime Minister Tony Blair, who ordered British troops into action as part of the U.S.-led coalition. They discussed "progress of the war" and efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people, White House spokeswoman Ashley Snee said.