'Mid-East democracy possible'

2004-06-01 20:56

Washington - US President George W Bush said on Tuesday that wider democracy in the Middle East is not only possible but also necessary, adding that closed societies are more likely to breed "young terrorists" and resentment.

"I think it's possible, and I know it's necessary, that we work toward democracy in the Middle East," Bush told reporters at a White House press conference largely devoted to questions on Iraq's new interim government.

"Because a society that is not free and not democratic is a society that's likely to breed resentment and anger, and therefore a society that makes the recruitment of young terrorists more likely," Bush stressed.

The president said it was important that people were taught to read and write and "not to hate".

"The idea is to find common spirit in our willingness to work in a variety of ways in the greater Middle East to achieve democratic societies, to work with reformers, to work on education processes," Bush said.

He said terrorists were working to drive the United States from countries in the Middle East "and it's very important that we not retreat".

- AFP