Bush speech: Your reaction

President George W Bush has told the American people that the US will not be cowed by recent violence in Iraq.

In a televised speech to the nation, the president vowed to provide whatever troops and services were necessary to ensure democracy in the country.

ASK THE IRAQ ANALYST Yahia Said, from the London School of Economics, answered your questions on the Iraqi crisis Click here to watch forum

Mr Bush blamed the recent violence on various groups but insisted power would be transferred as planned on 30 June.

What did you think of President Bush's speech?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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The following comments reflect the balance of the opinions we have received:

We (as US citizens) must vote this terrorist out of office Mark, Florida USA

Bush is playing to the ignorant "fox news" mentality of much of the US. I fear for the life of my children and the children of Iraq. We (as US citizens) must vote this terrorist out of office. It's our only hope.
Mark, Florida, USA

Whose violence? Over 600 civilians were killed, many women and children, because four mercenaries were executed. If there are many more such demonstrations of democracy in action then we shall run out of Iraqis and have to borrow from the Iranians.
Kevin Hemphill, Tokyo

The president is a man of great conviction who is leading the world toward a more peaceful future Jon Jannicola, NYC, USA

After reading many of the comments on this page, all I can say is that I am glad and I am proud that my president didn't listen to any of you. The president is a man of great conviction who is leading the world toward a more peaceful future.
Jon Jannicola, NYC, USA

Please know that most of America is embarrassed and ashamed of our administration. Despite what the media says, we are all waiting for the next election to get Bush out. Until then stay out of the stock market!
Marco, California, USA

Kerry should not campaign just ensure Bush faces media at least once a month till November.
Raj, India

hogwash! does he think the American people are to stupid to see through his facade of wrapping himself in the flag and politicizing the death of our troops?
Irv Mattingly, Louisville, KY, USA

I didn't put President Bush in office but I will vote to keep him there Marni, USA

I am a Democrat. I didn't put President Bush in office but I will vote to keep him there! There is no way we can leave it as is! We have to stand behind our men and women in Iraq! We cannot become divided now at this point! And I thought his speech was clear and valid. War is ugly and sickens me as well as any normal person; no matter where they are from! But we have to buck up; take our "oh so real" punches to the gut, We must back our people and the average Iraqi person that deserves a free life - a democracy!
Marni, USA

From what I gathered after watching the whole thing live Bush had memorised the answers to several important questions prior to the conference. When a reporter asked him a question he would simply ignore what was actually asked and turn it into a question that he knew the answer to. Furthermore the answers he gave to the questions that weren't even asked were full of the typical sophist rhetoric, buzz phrases (historic opportunity!), Bushisms (suiciders) and constant references to 9/11. I honestly cannot see how someone could get the impression Bush is a competent politician from watching that conference, but I imagine the majority of the American public will.
Jameson, UK

President Bush is correct when he says that the future of the world is at stake. I believe that the freedoms and democracy that is currently being enjoyed by men and women of all religions and nationalities who are fortunate enough to live in western styled democracies around the world will be vanquished by these tyrannical forces who will never stop the terror until they have killed anyone who refuses to think as they do. Freedom and democracy for all has been very brief lived on this planet, and now we can see why. There are always brutes and criminals who wish to control culture, and force the masses to their knees.
Madeleine Dunn, New York, NY USA

Bush said that the events in Iraq are "the work of a fanatical political ideology." The irony of this is not lost.
AC, UK

His sincerity and honest commentary were refreshing. That he cannot speak as a champion orator matters not.
Thomas, Cleveland, US

True democracy requires non-violence, and not killing women and children Arash Sarshar, Toronto Canada

I am not surprised about what president Bush said. It's what he did not say becomes frustrating in "his war on terror". Bush denies the right of the citizen of Iraq by sending more troops...He is sending more troops to establish "democracy". I am still awaiting some one to show me when was the last time US has occupied a country and exported "democracy" with its soldiers. The hawks in the White House do not get it...The true democracy requires non-violence, and not killing women and children.
Arash Sarshar, Toronto Canada

The validity of the war is unimportant when considering what to do in Iraq. We must act for the good of the World on the situation as it is now: therefore, more troops should be sent into Iraq, and power-hungry men such as Al Sadr should be shown clearly that armed uprisings will not lead to success. I hope Bush knows what he's doing, although I suspect not.
Morgan Daly, Birmingham, UK

By only killing one Iraqi, USA is creating 1000 enemies, So multiply 900 by 1000, this is what the USA has got for 2 weeks! Bush did not say anything new. We all know that more troops are needed because the number of US casualties is higher than expected. He is - like his father - not more than one term president.
Rafid Murad, London, UK

Infuriating. That has to sum it up for the America haters. Finally an American President of unwavering moral conviction and utter determination to win the good fight. Drives you all to distraction! Wonderful.
Peter C. Kohler, Washington DC USA

I do not see that we are leading a true international coalition against Iraq. Most of the world seems against our war in Iraq, and I feel this is due to a lack of international leadership on behalf of Bush and his administration.
Preston Polasek, Clatskanie, Oregon, USA

He must put pride aside and involve the UN in Iraq Leonard, Durban, South Africa

Given the platform, Mr Bush can talk. But what he says is regretably unconvicing. He is good at doging the questions. He must put pride aside and involve the UN in Iraq. Period!
Leonard, Durban, South Africa

Instead of handing over power to a puppet regime by June 30, let the US hand over Iraq to the Arab League and the United Nations.
Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi, Kampala, Uganda

The question: How can soldiers be sent out again? The answer is because they are paid professionals, doing a job of work for the country. I am quite happy to pay others to take the risk, and do the job effectively. Whether the government is right to send our armed forces is the real issue.
Nick, Hampshire, UK

Wonderful. Our steadfast and strong president has the vision and the goals. Let's go for it.
Peter, Texas, USA

Georgie, it's ok, you can stop now. There are grown ups at the UN who can clear up after you. Run along now, back to your toys in your own back yard.
Conrad Cockburn, London, UK

Bravo Mr President Alessandro M, Venice, Italy

I want only to say: "Bravo Mr President!". In this moment all the democracies must be united to fight this terrible enemy, terrorism.
Alessandro M, Venice, Italy

Speech? What speech? I saw a meaningless set of platitudes, devoid of solutions or vision, read without fluency or feeling.
Mick, Cambridge, UK

I feel that most Americans see Bush for what he is...a frat boy in over his head. We came away from 8 years of Clinton, a partier in his own right, but also the best educated president in history...to Bush, who promised to be moral, but fun. We weren't thinking about terrorism or war at the time. Had we been, the choice for president would have been very different.
Christopher Joseph, Greenfield, MA, US

It's deeply worrying that a man of such limited intelligence is actually president of the USA. Bush does not understand why his Iraq policies are causing such violence and resentment, and appears utterly incapable of learning from his mistakes. It is even more worrying, and depressing, that Tony Blair chose to stand shoulder to shoulder with a fool.
Rob Williams, London, UK

Bush does not understand why his Iraq policies are causing such violence and resentment Rob Williams, London, UK

Of course Bush won't be cowed by violence in Iraq...he doesn't have to be over there facing it day in and day out. His entire presidency, indeed his entire life, has been about making others accept responsibility for him and his venality and cowardice.
Jeff, Endicott, NY USA

Bush's use of decisive force in Iraq will definitely result in unthinkable violence. Shame on the so called democrocy which only bring about blood and humilition to the Muslim world.
Siraj,S, Auckland,New Zealand

Sometimes it takes courage not to fight...
Paxton Braunschild, The Hague, The Netherlands

Is the US involvement in Iraq really benefitial to the world? After the US pulled out of Vietnam, the communist regime did not manage to invade other parts of Asia as the domino theory suggested. Likewise, the US pulling out of Iraq now might not be a bad thing afterall.
John, Malaysia

the US pulling out of Iraq now might not be a bad thing afterall John, Malaysia

Long on rhetoric but short on solutions, Bush¿s speech reflected the growing desperation of the Coalition regarding the Iraqi quagmire. Instead of Vietnam, we ought to reckon Iraq as the new Yugoslavia, albeit on a global scale. Even if the Coalition pulls out of Iraq, the after shocks would be reverberating for many years to come. Briefly put, the neoconservatives have presented us with a fait accompli.
Kiat-Jin Lee, Singapore

The Americans are barbarians. They don't know how to deal with human beings. They have no explanation for what they are doing
M Shamari , Baghdad, Iraq

His ideological position doesn't wash with me Rowano Wijisawa, Japan

Bush is a blind monkey. Can't he see that he's made the world a more dangerous place now than it was before he decided to meddle with it. His ideological position doesn't wash with me.
Rowano Wijisawa, Okinawa, Japan

A historic lesson for the american voter - punch your voting cards correctly
Ahmed , London, UK

Its about time Bush and Blair swallowed their pride and did what they should have done in the first place - forgot about the oil and awarding contracts to 'selected' firms and got the UN fully engaged in bringing lasting peace to Iraq.
Ada, UK

The press and populist media attack George Bush like a Palestinian youth throws stones at a conscripted Israeli 19 year old. All the while policy makers and the establishment stand quietly in the wings adjusting the scenes like dissaffected Greek Gods.
JNF, Coventry, England

The press and populist media attack George Bush like a Palestinian youth throws stones at a conscripted Israeli 19 year old JNF, Coventry, England

Pick up your history books and you will find out he speaks the truth. About everything he said. When are you all going to take this seriously... these are people you cannot negotiate with. They seek to end your freedom. Half the people here act as if their freedom is somehow enshrined and protected somewhere. On paper yes, but in reality it is only the barrel of the gun which allows me to speak honestly and truthfully without fear.
Gary, London

To Gary, London who said: They seek to end your freedom. Just tell me one thing, why did the US close down the newspaper, an act against freedom, that has left so many people killed? And someone please tell me, why is Bush so concerned about Iraqi democracy and well being, while Palestinians have been dying for 60 years? Simply because Iraqis have oil, Palestinian haven't.
Talal, Lausanne, Switzerland

That's a real man. Good for America. I hope our formerly reformist and currently useless president Khatami of Iran, had 10% of Bush's courage and stamina.
Gholi, Iran

It was a good speech, but its all just rhetoric. The June 30 deadline is too soon to hand over to the Iraqis themselves, which if it goes through as planned will only see Iraq fall into even greater anarchy. The 30 June deadline should see a transfer of power to the UN before eventually handing power to the Iraqis once security and stability have been re-installed. This can only be done with the help of the UN because otherwise the Iraqi people and the world at large all know we'll merely see a US puppet government installed.
Paul Redstall, Basingstoke

Transferring power is ok if you have someone to transfer power to Filip Michielsen, Antwerp

Transferring power is ok if you have someone to transfer power to. To transfer power to a group of people whom are seen by many Iraqi people as a puppet regime will solve nothing. Besides such a transfer has been tried in the past that time it was called the Vietnamisation of the war and everybody knows how that turned out to be. The main difference with Vietnam is however that this war could destabilise the entire region. So the world community now has no choice except to stabilise the country.
Filip Michielsen, Antwerp, Belgium

The US, UK and their allies should leave Iraq immediately - but leave your wallets behind to pay for all the damage you've caused!
Kevin McQuillan, Belfast, Ireland

Out of Iraq now will mean chaos. It is the first time in my whole life I wish for occupiers to stay in an Arab land.
Mahmoud Lasheen, Cairo, Egypt

When will Mr Bush realise that you cannot impose your will on people down the barrel of a gun. It is time the UN took responsibility for this horrible situation which daily delivers death to innocent families in Iraq. It was never a war against terror we needed. It is a war against the causes of terror. If we are prepared to be honest there are causes on both sides. I can't help feeling that a considerable section of Iraqi citizens would consider the occupying forces to be invaders.
Jim McCoy, Newry, Ireland

It's time we changed our tactics Divine, Ifitedunu, Nigeria

Pride goes before a fall. The issue definitely is not about sending more troops and ultimately getting more people killed. I think it's time we changed our tactics and embrace universal support.
Divine, Ifitedunu, Nigeria

I believe that it is right to send in more troops. If the troops pull out now then I think the country would be in a worse situation than it was before the Iraq war. At the present time the country is not stable enough to deal with the recent hostage taking themselves.
Craig Wilson, Glasgow, UK

This man has made one decision too many, and he cannot retract or admit failure, what with the impending presidential elections at stake. But I believe that when he signed the orders to attack Iraq, he was actually signing his way out of the White House
Zahrin Maarif, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Bush will pull out by June 30 because he needs to. There is an election in November, he doesn't want a Vietnam. Having stirred up a hornet's nest in Iraq and roused the fundamentalists who Saddam suppressed, he has now created a real terrorist state. Congratulations - we can all sleep in our beds at night none the safer.
Stephen Holland, Sheffield, UK

He didn't even give straight answers to any questions. I am sure that the US people will see straight through him and vote him out of power in November!
Pete, London UK

I'm glad Bush has the nerve to do what he believes is right Peter, U.K

Please tell us how Saddam should have been removed? He was offered asylum, but refused. The French vetoed any UN led operation. That left two choices - leave him to kill more of his own people or go in and get him. Personally I'm glad Bush has the nerve to do what he believes is right. It was a good speech.
Peter, U.K

Journalist, "Have you made any mistakes." Bush, "I'm sure something'll pop into my head." What incredible, jaw dropping, breathtaking arrogance in the face of mounting coalition losses. A total lack of understanding of his own responsibility for the current situation. Surely this isn't what servicemen's families want to hear.
Jim, Sheffield

Bush is playing on the ignorance of his people to save himself. By linking terrorism with what is going on in Iraq, in my view he only serves to strengthen the association of Islam with terrorism. This in turn will only serve to deepen the gulf between Islam and the West. So, for his short term, selfish gain, he condemns us all to an ever widening spiral of violence.
Ricardo Pinto, Edinburgh

The difference between Vietnam and Iraq is that the former was based on a dangerous political ideal whilst the latter is based on an even more dangerous economic ideal - i.e. keeping the voters of the USA happy by giving them plenty of fuel.
John, Wales

I don't believe that Americans want to just consider one example of Bush's 'war against terror': For 4 killed American soldiers, over 600 Iraqis in Falluja have already been killed and over 1000 injured. Were they all terrorists? The cost of such 'liberation' seems to be too high.
Sergey Malyshev, St Petersburg, Russia

Bush created this whole mess with his search for non-existent WMDs, he then had no peace plan, and by a total lack of foresight, created the current anarchy. By 'Democracy', he means ensuring that a US puppet regime is voted in, rather than an Islamic fundamentalist one. The guy is just living some Hollywood fantasy and has absolutely no idea what is really happening.
John C, Bath, England

This has obviously become more about saving face in front of the electorate than even about oil and the other less than noble reasons for the US "invasion" of Iraq that we know about.
Lawrence, London, UK

Surely the allies must now stay to see the job through Tony F, Basingstoke, UK

Whether or not you supported military action against Saddam, surely the allies must now stay to see the job through. Leaving post-Saddam Iraq in a state of brutal anarchy would be unthinkable and unforgivable.
Tony F, Basingstoke, UK

If Saddam's removal had been carried out correctly instead of this imperialistic war mongering, we wouldn't face the wreck that is Iraq today. But how do you tell a bunch of neo-conservative idealists they're wrong? If they won't listen to reason why should the fundamentalists of Iraq? As so many of us said before this folly, Told you so!
Simon, Reading

I watched this all the way through. I thought he was going to literally run away at several stages of the very tame journalists' questions. The best one was when he was asked why he and Cheney were not willing to be questioned separately by the 9/11 Commission. He just repeated the same non-answer over and over. If the American public cannot see through this guy then they truly deserve the whirlwind which they are about to reap.
Charles Moore, Edinburgh, Scotland

Call me cynical... The US won't hand over, they will "find" reasons and evidence to hold on to another part of their empire, and have a puppet cabinet running Iraq. In a few years, Starbucks, McDonalds and other chains will emerge in an Americanised Iraq..
Gavin, Portsmouth, England

Bush is right to want to press on with democracy in Iraq. The warlords in Iraq and remnants of Saddam's empire don't want a free democratic Iraq, nor do the hard left "anti war" groups. Bush should stand firm and resist the opponents of peace and freedom both in and out of Iraq.
Paul, Stourbridge, England

How can they send out more troops? My father has served in both of the Gulf Wars, got back in May 2003 and could be going back out in June 2004! Why send back out those who have already been there?
Anonymous, Bristol, UK

What speech? Here is a man who did not answer one question straight. No matter what the question was, the answer was about the same. If this was a speech to help Iraq then he was not talking peace but war. Where does the buck stop?
Thomas Kantha, Japan