Debate on Iraq healthy, Bush tells Democrats

Williamsburg (Va), Feb 4: President George W Bush, speaking to House of Representatives Democrats he has battled for six years, today said he welcomed a vigorous debate on his plan to increase US combat troops in Iraq and he did not question the patriotism of critics.

But there was no indication that Bush's appearance at the annual retreat for House Democrats, his first since 2001, bridged deep disagreements on the war.

At a press conference after Bush's speech and a private session that followed, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat who has assailed Bush's handling of the Iraq war, said the president defended his policy while acknowledging disapproval of how the war was going so far.

''The president really stood his ground on Iraq,'' Pelosi said. She added that Bush ''explained why he thought additional troops were needed and why they would succeed this time.'' As an aside, Pelosi noted that US troop buildups had ''failed four times before.'' Many Democrats say only a political solution, not a military one, will solve the Iraq dilemma.

Bush's overall softer tone was in contrast to last summer, when many Democrats began calling for a partial withdrawal from Iraq, prompting some of Bush's fellow Republicans to accuse them of a ''cut and run'' strategy.

Bush also said he agreed with Democrats that the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki ''is going to have to show strong leadership.'' Bush met at the White House this week with Pelosi about her trip to Iraq where she met with Maliki.

Bush said Pelosi told him, '''You've got to make it loud and clear to the Iraqi people that their government has got to perform.''' ''And I understand that. I agree Madame Speaker,'' Bush said.

He said the Iraq government was expected to meet certain goals including securing Baghdad, passing a law to distribute oil revenues and amending its constitution.

''In other words, there are benchmarks that they have got to achieve, and I have made it clear to the Iraqi government, just like I have made it clear to the American people, our commitment is not open-ended,'' Bush said.

Prepared To Debate

Bush spoke as the Senate prepared to start debate next week on a nonbinding resolution opposing his plan to add 21,500 US combat troops in Iraq in what some see as a last-ditch effort to end sectarian violence bordering on civil war there.

The House could start its Iraq resolution debate the week of February 12.

''I welcome debate at a time of war and I hope you know that,'' Bush told House Democrats. ''Nor do I consider a belief that if you don't happen to agree with me, you don't share the same sense of patriotism I do. You can get that thought out of your mind if that's what some believe.'' Stressing bipartisanship throughout a speech that focused mainly on domestic priorities, Bush also made light of a quip during his State of the Union address last month, in which he referred to the ''Democrat'' party instead of the ''Democratic'' party. Some Democrats viewed it as an intended slight meant to imply the party was not democratic.

''Now look, my diction isn't all that good. I have been accused of occasionally mangling the English language. And so I appreciate you inviting the head of the 'Republic' party,'' Bush said to laughter.

Later, in remarks to reporters, Bush called his session with Democrats ''relaxed, informative and enjoyable.'' On the domestic front, Pelosi said she thought Democrats and the White House could work together to pass legislation reforming US immigration laws while also tackling global warming and creating higher paying jobs.

Reuters