Los Angeles Times - September 19, 2004
Edwin Chen, Times Staff Writer

KENNEBUNKPORT, Me. - President Bush said Saturday that he would reaffirm in a speech to the United Nations this week America's commitment to see free elections held in Afghanistan and Iraq, despite the continuing violence in those countries.

Bush also is expected to challenge the global community to do more to combat terrorism by fighting poverty, disease and illiteracy.

In his weekly radio address, Bush said he would make proposals "to expand prosperity and accelerate the march of freedom in our world."

Bush administration officials previewed Bush's aims for his appearance Tuesday before the U.N. General Assembly, many of whose members remain at odds with the U.S. on the Iraq war.

Bush's annual U.N. appearance comes at a time of rising violence in Iraq and as his handling of the war is coming under attack from Sen. John F. Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate. More than 200 Iraqis and at least 54 U.S. military personnel have died in recent days, raising doubts about whether the country would be stable enough to hold national elections in January.

Uncertainty also clouds the prospects of the Oct. 9 presidential election in Afghanistan, where President Hamid Karzai escaped another assassination attempt Thursday.

In his radio address, Bush said, "We know that to create a safer world, we must build a better world.

"And we are acting," he said, referring to U.S. initiatives to battle AIDS and other diseases overseas and to teach new farming techniques in Africa in an attempt to alleviate hunger.

The president is scheduled to arrive in New York on Monday evening. Today he is scheduled to tour storm-damaged Florida and Alabama.

While at the U.N., Bush plans to meet with several heads of state, including the leaders of India, Japan and Pakistan. He is also slated to meet with Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who last week added new fuel to the dispute over Iraq when he called the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq illegal.

Bush also is scheduled to talk with Karzai, and with interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, who will visit Washington this week and address both houses of Congress.

On Thursday, Allawi is set to pay a high-profile visit to the White House. After meeting with Bush, the two leaders are to hold a joint news conference.

In his radio remarks, Bush warned that, at least in the short-term, there could be mounting violence in Afghanistan and Iraq as elections in those countries near.

"Terrorist enemies are trying to stop the progress of both those countries, and their violent and merciless attacks may increase as elections draw near," he said.

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