Bush in bid to twist Republican arms on security

WASHINGTON, Sep 14 (Reuters) President George W Bush today went to the US Capitol to prod fellow Republicans to back his plans to track and try terrorism suspects, but some pressed on with a competing measure the White House rejects.

Bush told reporters he had thanked the House Armed Services Committee for passing his version of the legislation to put foreign suspects on trial ''in a bipartisan fashion that will give us the tools and wherewithal to protect this country.'' ''I reminded them that the most important job of government is to protect the homeland,'' Bush said after privately meeting with House Republicans who are searching also for an accord on his warrantless domestic spying program.

Defying Bush, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner of Virginia and fellow Republicans John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina were expected to push their bill providing suspects on trial more legal rights.

They say the new bill is essential to clear a possible US Supreme Court challenge.

At the White House, press secretary Tony Snow complained the competing legislation would wipe out a CIA intelligence-gathering program.

''The president will not accept something that shuts the program down,'' Snow told reporters.

REUTERS LL BST2206