U.S. President George W. Bush said he is confident the Iraqi elections scheduled for January 30 will take place. Bush, who made the comment during a briefing with reporters at the White House, said 14 of the 18 provinces in Iraq are ready for elections. "I know it's hard. But it's hard for a reason," the president said in describing the security situation Iraq. The United States faced a similar security problem after winning independence from the British in 1776, the president said. "This is a big moment for the Iraqi people," the president said. The recent elections in Afghanistan, where people voted despite the threat of violence, should serve as an example to the Iraqi people, the president said.
