Prometheus 6

Bush, Rumsfeld Try to Soothe Angry U.S. Troops
Thu Dec 9, 2004 12:53 PM ET
By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush said on Thursday U.S. troop concerns about inadequate equipment for Iraq combat are being addressed and he did not blame soldiers for raising the issue with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

A day after he was bombarded with criticism from U.S. soldiers based in Kuwait, Rumsfeld promised more would be done to protect forces and that steps were being taken to deal with explosive devices, a lead cause of death in Iraq, where more than 1,000 American soldiers have been killed in action.

The troop complaints put the administration on the defensive after Bush had rejected charges from Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry in the campaign for last month's election that military forces in Iraq did not have sufficient protection.

"The concerns expressed are being addressed, and that is, we expect our troops to have the best possible equipment. And if I were a soldier overseas, wanting to defend my country, I'd want to ask the secretary of defense the same question," Bush said.

He told reporters in an Oval Office event that he has been telling military families that "we're doing everything we possibly can to protect your loved ones in a mission which is vital and important."

I want you to notice that at no time is anything implying improved equipment for the troops said. In fact, if "we're doing everything we possibly can to protect your loved ones," and your loved ones are still coming up short, well sorry, that's all there is. We're doing everything we possibly can. The equipment you have is the best possible.