Bush: 'Victory' starting in Iraq

COLUMBIA, S.C., Nov. 3 (UPI) -- There were no combat deaths among U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq for five consecutive October days, the longest period in nearly four years, a report says.

The stretch between Oct. 19 and 23 did, however, see the deaths of three U.S. soldiers from "non-hostile causes" and did not include the deaths of civilians and Iraqi security forces, The Times in London reported Saturday.

The remainder of October saw several days in which no coalition forces died, a sign of increasing stability, U.S. President George Bush told soldiers Friday at Fort Jackson in South Carolina.

“The enemy remain determined but what they have learned about the United States of America is that we are more determined,” Bush said adding, “Victory starts here.”

Michael White, who compiles statistics on violence in Iraq for the Web site icasualties.org, was less optimistic. “I honestly don’t think violence will subside just yet," White said.