One year after he declared the end of major combat operations in Iraq, US President George W. Bush on Saturday painted a sombre picture, saying that more violence could lie ahead as the US-led coalition forces proceed with a plan to return sovereignty to Iraqis.

"As the transfer of sovereignty approaches on June 30, we are likely to see more violence from groups opposed to freedom," Bush said in his weekly radio address.

But he quickly vowed that the violence will not derail US efforts in Iraq. "We will not be intimidated or diverted. On July 1, and beyond, our reconstruction and military commitment will continue," he said.

Aware of domestic criticism of his administration's lack of a clear strategy in Iraq, Bush insisted his administration does have one.

He said there are two elements in the administration's strategy. "First, we will ensure an atmosphere of security as Iraqis move toward self-government," he said.

"The second element of our strategy is to return sovereignty to the people of Iraq on the schedule that we agreed to with the Iraqi Governing Council," he added.

Bush reiterated that he supports efforts by UN Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi to form an interim Iraqi government which is supposed to take over powers from the coalition occupation authority at the end of June.
 
(Xinhua News Agency May 2, 2004)