Commenced = past version of commence, or am I wrong?

[Lonyo]

"Commenced at a time of our choosing"

From Dubya.

Surely it would be "to commence" or "commencing", unless in his mind we're already attacking them, which is probably true, even if Saddam leaves.

 

[Beau]

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=commence

com·mence
v. com·menced, com·menc·ing, com·menc·es
v. tr.
To begin; start.

v. intr.
To enter upon or have a beginning; start. See Synonyms at begin.