'Saddam Hussein Is Losing Control Of His Country'

I am pleased with the progress that we're making in the early stages of a -- of the war to rid Iraq of itsweapons of mass destruction, and to free the Iraqi people from the clutches of a brutal dictatorship.

Today, in our church service, Laura and I prayed for the coalition forces, those in the coalition forceswho lost their lives. We pray for their families. We ask God's comfort for those who mourn today. And we thankall the coalition forces for their bravery and courage in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

It is evident that it's going to take a while to achieve our objective, but we're on course, we'redetermined, and we're making good progress.

I'll answer a few questions.

Sir, have you seen the tape --

One at a time, please. Scott. Thank you.

What do you know about the prisoners, anything, sir?

I've been briefed, I'm constantly briefed by the Pentagon and through the National Security Office. I would-- I don't know all the details yet. I do know that we expect them to be treated humanely, just like we'lltreat any prisoners of theirs that we capture humanely.

I think it's an interesting contrast that a lot of their soldiers welcome American troops, they'resurrendering gleefully, happily. And they'll be treated well. And I ask you to ask the Defense Department forfurther details.

Sir, what do you know about Saddam Hussein and his fate, if anything?

I know that Saddam Hussein is losing control of his country, that we're slowly, but surely, achieving ourobjective.

It's important for the American people to realize that this war has just begun, that it may -- it may seemlike a long time because of all the action on TV, but in terms of the overall strategy, we're just in thebeginning phases, and that we're executing a plan which will make it easier to achieve objective, and at thesame time, spare innocent life.

And I'm most proud of our troops and coalition troops for showing their bravery and skill.

Mr. President, do you know -- at this point, can you tell Americans, I mean, is the war progressing theway you expected it to?

Yes, Larry, it is. It is -- and I -- the air campaign is achieving its objective, and the ground campaignis also achieving objective. We're slowly, but surely, taking control of that country so that we can free thepeople of Iraq and eventually clear that country of weapons of mass destruction. We've made good progress.

One of the big concerns early on was the Southern oil fields. As you all remember, we had discussions aboutthat. There was a lot of speculation about whether or not coalition forces would be able to get to theSouthern oil fields in time, before -- so that Saddam Hussein wouldn't destroy them. As a matter of fact, Ihad frequently talked about the Southern oil fields -- or oil fields in general -- in my declaratory policy.

Tommy Franks put a plan in place that moved on those oil fields quickly, and at least in the south, theyare secure. And that is positive news for all of us. Most of the south is now in coalition hands. Obviously,there's pockets of resistance in a place like Basra. We're making great progress -- in the west, we're makinggreat progress. The area, the launch sites for the scuds, while certainly not a hundred percent secure, butwe've made good progress.

And so I can assure the American people we're making good progress, and I also can assure them that this isjust the beginning of a tough fight.

Sir, have you specifically been told that American POWs have been executed? And even --

I have not been told that. I have been told that we have a problem with potential capture. I'm waiting to-- when I get back upstairs I'll talk back to the Pentagon again. I was told early this morning that perhapsour troops were captured. Maybe between the time I left Camp David and here I'll learn more. But I amconcerned about our troops. Obviously, any time one of our soldiers loses a life, I grieve with their parentsand their loved ones. And if there is somebody captured, and it looks like there may be, I expect those peopleto be treated humanely.

Sir, what is your level of confidence that the Iraqi regime will surrender or collapse before U.S.forces need to be engaged in a fight in Baghdad?

I -- all I know is we've got a game plan, a strategy to free the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein and ridhis country of weapons of mass destruction, and we're on plan.

Bill. And then Mike.

Iraqi TV has shown what appear to be American POWs, and also what appear to be American dead. Yourreaction?

I expect them to be treated, the POWs I expect to be treated humanely. And -- just like we're treating theprisoners that we have captured humanely. If not, the people who mistreat the prisoners will be treated as warcriminals.

Mike.

Mr. President, do you retain hope that Saddam Hussein will go into exile, and are there any activenegotiations about that?

You know, Mike, I -- he had his chance to go into exile. I gave him a 48-hour ultimatum to leave thecountry so that we could disarm Iraq peacefully; he chose not to go into exile.

Mr. President, how concerned are you about the situation in the north and Turkey's statement that theywill send troops in there and that Americans might get caught in some kind of cross-fire up there?

We have got more troops up north, and we're making it very clear to the Turks that we expect them not tocome into Northern Iraq. We're in constant touch with the Turkish military, as well as Turkish politicians.They know our policy, and it's a firm policy. And we've made it very clear to them we expect them not to gointo Northern Iraq, as well as -- and they know we're working with the Kurds to make sure there's not anincident that would cause there to be an excuse to go into Northern Iraq.

Mr. President, what are you saying to the families of those U.S. soldiers who appear to be killed orcaptured, and are paraded on television --

I say to the families, thank -- I thank them for the sacrifice they make, and we pray with them. I pray forGod's comfort and God's healing powers, to anybody, coalition force, American, Brit, anybody who loses a lifein this -- in our efforts to make the world more peaceful and more free.

Ed.

Mr. President, are you surprised the enemy has not used any weapons of mass destruction?

I am thankful the enemy has not used any weapons of mass destruction. And we will continue employing astrategy to make it difficult for the enemy to use weapons of mass destruction.

A couple more, then I've got to go.

Mr. President, what will you be telling the congressional leaders tomorrow about the cost --

Wait until I talk to them. It's probably best they hear it directly from me.

Mr. President, to your knowledge, is there any hope of getting these soldiers back?

What?

To your knowledge, is there any chance of getting these soldiers back?

Of course.

Mr. President, how swiftly do you expect -- to get humanitarian aid --

Good question. I appreciate you asking that question. The question is on humanitarian aid. In the south ofIraq, coalition forces have worked hard to make the port area secure, to make the transit of humanitarian aidas safe as possible. As -- I was told this morning in my briefings that humanitarian aid should begin moving-- massive amounts of humanitarian aid should begin moving within the next 36 hours. And that's going to bevery positive news for a lot of people who have suffered a long time under Saddam Hussein.

We've got a massive ground assault going on, and right behind it will be a massive movement of humanitarianaid, to help the people of Iraq. We have made that promise to the people of this country that we will doeverything we can to protect innocent life. And we're doing that. And we'll do everything we can to help theIraqi people. First thing, of course, that will help the Iraqi people is to rid them from a brutal dictator,somebody who has stayed in power through mutilation and rape and torture. Somebody who has starved his ownpeople so he could build palaces. When free from that dictatorship, life will be a lot better.

But we also understand we have an obligation -- and this is just not America, it's coalition forces -- havean obligation to put food and medicine in places so the Iraqi people can live a normal life and have hope. Andthat's exactly what's going to happen shortly when the area is completely -- safe enough to move the equipmentforward.

Listen, thank you all.

How are you holding up, sir?

I feel just fine.