Bush to address nation

6 September 2003, 18:00 PM

Reuters, Indianapolis

President Bush, facing growing doubts at home about a violent and unstable post-war Iraq and an uncertain path to greater UN involvement in its reconstruction, will address the nation on Sunday night about Iraq and the war on terrorism.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan announced on Friday that Bush will speak at 8:30 p.m. EDT. The speech, expected to be about 15 minutes long, comes as the nation prepares to mark the second anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks next Thursday.

"The president believes this is a good time to talk to the American people about the progress we're making in our ongoing war on terrorism and our needs going forward," McClellan said.

He added, "There will be a focus on Iraq because Iraq is central to winning the war on terrorism."

Bush is coming under increasing criticism from Democratic candidates for president about the volatile situation in Iraq, where US troops are under daily attack. Members of Congress are also voicing concern that the United States is shouldering too much of the danger and financial burden in Iraq.