Bush: Terror war can't be won

2004-08-30 14:31

Washington - United States President George Bush acknowledged on Monday that he didn't think the war on terror could be won, but said it would make it less acceptable for groups to use terrorism as a tool.

Early on Monday, NBC-TV's Today programme was broadcasting an interview with Bush that included a discussion of his goals for a second administration.

Bush, who has said he expects the war on terror to be a long, drawn-out battle, was asked by interviewer Matt Lauer, "Can we win it?"

"I don't think you can win it," Bush replied, according to excerpts NBC provided in advance.

"But I think you can create conditions so that the - those who use terror as a tool are - less acceptable in parts of the world."

As the Republican national convention opens on Monday in New York, Bush is campaigning on Republican turf in New Hampshire, a tiny bellwether swing state where a victory is not a sure bet.

It's his eighth trip to the state as president.

Four years ago, Bush won New Hampshire by 7 211 votes, or just a little more than one percentage point.

While Republicans outnumber Democrats among the state's registered voters, more than a third of those registered have yet to declare for one party or the other.

- AP