Bush: U.S. should prepare for more casualties

Bush: "From the beginning of this, I have cautioned the American people that this is going to take a while."

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota (CNN) -- President Bush said Monday he was saddened by the death of eight U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, but said the nation should expect more military operations in Afghanistan and prepare itself for more casualties.

"Obviously I'm saddened by the loss of life," Bush said here during a trip designed to highlight White House education reforms as well as raise money for Minnesota Republicans.

"All America is saddened when one of our soldiers loses life. On the other hand, most Americans, and I hope these parents and loved ones, understand the cause is important and the cause is just."

The president said the United States and its coalition partners were in hot pursuit of entrenched pockets of al Qaeda resistance.

"From the beginning of this, I have cautioned the American people that this is going to take a while," Bush said. "The American people understand that. Over the weekend we started an operation against a significant nest of al Qaeda fighters.

"These are people that if they were to escape could conceivably harm America again. And, therefore, we're going to hunt them down no matter where they try to hide."

Bush declined to speculate how many al Qaeda leaders were being sought by coalition forces.

"I believe there are some, and I'm not sure how many, but enough for us to put together a significant coalition of Afghan, American and other forces to rout them out," Bush said.

The president said al Qaeda forces were trying to wait for the United States and its partners to leave the region.

"We'll win this battle and we'll keep battling al Qaeda wherever we find them. We will keep the pressure on al Qaeda. Our country is still under threat and so long as our country is under threat, this great nation will hunt down those who want to harm innocent Americans," he said.

As for Osama bin Laden, the president said: "He's been awfully quiet, I don't know why. But I know he's on the run, if he's running at all. And I know there's no cave deep enough for Osama bin Laden."