Bush Pushes Removal Iraq From Terrorism Sponsor List

JANESVILLE, Wisconsin, Sept 24 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush directed Friday that Iraq be removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, citing the ouster of former dictator Saddam Hussein.
"There has been a fundamental change in the leadership and policies of the Government of Iraq. Iraq's government is not supporting acts of international terrorism," Bush said in a memorandum to US Secretary of State Colin Powell.
"Iraq's government has provided assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future," Bush said in the statement, which the White House made public as the president campaigned for reelection here.
Removal requires Powell to inform the US Congress of Bush's certification that Iraq does not support terrorism.
Once Iraq is stricken from the list, the US State Department's designated state sponsors of terrorism will include Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria and Sudan.