Bush 'understands' war

2003-11-17 13:02

London - US President George W Bush said he plans to keep American troops in Iraq although his officials are speeding up moves to end the coalition occupation there, a British newspaper reported on Monday.

"You don't have to worry about us pulling out," Bush was quoted as saying in an interview with The Sun, ahead of the president's visit to Britain starting Tuesday. "We're not leaving. We're staying there to get a job done."

The Sun also said Bush confirmed that the top American administrator in Iraq, Paul Bremer, is speeding up the formation of an interim Iraqi government to end the coalition occupation by mid 2004.

Anti-war protesters plan large demonstrations to coincide with Bush's November 18-21 state visit, during which the president and first lady will be guests of Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

Prime Minister Tony Blair was America's staunchest ally in the war to dislodge Saddam Hussein, but the conflict has hurt Blair's approval rating among British voters.

Bush told The Sun he understood the concerns of Britons who had opposed military intervention.

'I hug the moms and dads'

"See, I understand the consequences of war. I understand particularly when I go and hug the moms and dads and brothers and sisters and sons and daughters of those who died," he was quoted as saying.

"I can also see the consequences of not acting, of hoping for the best in the face of tyrannical killers."

Asked whether he believed the world was safer since the war in Iraq, Bush replied: "Yes, much safer. The free world has recognised the threat.

'You've got to see reality'

"In order to make the world safe, you've got to see reality. And the reality is that there are cold-blooded killers who are trying to intimidate, create fear and shape the will of the civilised world."

Some of Prime Minister Tony Blair's own minister accuse him of being Bush's "poodle," and recent polls suggest a majority of Britons don't approve of their "special relationship" with the United States.

But Bush played down criticisms of the coalition invasion of Iraq.

"Presidents and prime ministers should never worry about how they are viewed in short-term history," he told The Sun. "I think in terms of long-term history.

"I set big goals. And I know what we're doing is going to have a positive effect on the world."

Although Bush and Blair have a close personal relationship, trade relations between their countries are strained over US tariffs on steel.

Britain's Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt warned Sunday of a trans-Atlantic trade war unless the United States ends the high tariffs on foreign steel imposed last year. The World Trade Organisation ruled last week that they violated international fair-trade rules.

Bush told The Sun he would take a "real good look" at US tariffs on steel imports.

"I am a fierce free trader," he was quoted as saying. "I know free trade is important between America and Great Britain."

- AP