Bush Presses Iran, Syria on Iraq Weapons
Pastor Dale Morgan
Mar 11, 9:38 PM EDT
*Bush Presses Iran, Syria on Iraq Weapons*
By TOM RAUM
Associated Press Writer
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- President Bush said Sunday that Iran and Syria
need to follow through on pledges to help Iraq, but left the door open
to additional contacts between Washington and its chief Mideast foes.
"If they really want to help stabilize Iraq, there are things for them
to do, such as cutting off weapons flows and or the flow of suicide
bombers into Iraq," Bush said during an appearance here with Colombian
President Alvaro Uribe.
The president's cautious assessment came on a six-hour stop designed as
a show of confidence in Uribe and the battle against narcoterrorists in
this strong but drug and violence-plagued U.S. ally. It was his first
public comment on Saturday's international conference held in Baghdad
with Iraq, its neighbors and other key countries, such as the United States.
The one-day, closed-door meeting featured rare direct communication
between Iran and the United States. Envoys from the two countries did
not meet outside the larger meeting, and each blamed the other for
Iraq's security crisis.
Reports of testy exchanges aside, Bush praised the session as
constructive. He said he hoped momentum from this conference will carry
over to the next, which is expected to be held next month in Turkey.
As a sign of the U.S. commitment, he said, Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice will be the nation's representative next time.
"People are now committed publicly to helping Iraq, which I thought was
very positive. The other benefit from the conference was that the
government gained some confidence," he said. "In terms of the
expectations of the next meetings, we'll see."
Iran said it was ready to support any plan that would help end the
bloodshed in its neighbor.
Responded Bush: "Those are nice statements, and now they can act on them."
Bush also sought to assure Americans that 4,700 additional U.S. troops
being sent into Iraq are slated for support roles only. He said they are
needed to help the extra 21,500 combat troops he ordered in January do
their jobs.
The president did not directly respond to a question from a reporter
asking whether Americans should expect more troop increases.
Bush asked Congress on Friday for $3.2 billion to pay for the new Iraq
troops, as well as for 3,500 new U.S. troops to expand training of local
police and army units in Afghanistan.
That money is to come out of his request for nearly $100 billion to
finance this year's war operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
House Democratic leaders say they will try to attach language to that
war funding bill that would require Bush to remove U.S. combat troops
from Iraq by the end of August 2008. That deadline could be expedited,
possibly to the end of 2007, if the Iraqi government fails to meet
commitments for stepping up security operations, distributing oil
revenue and allowing amendments to the country's constitution.
The Democratic plan would also bar the military from deploying troops
who do not meet existing standards for equipping, training and resting
U.S. troops, though Bush would be allowed to waive those standards.
"My hope, of course, is that Congress provides the funding necessary for
the combat troops to be able to do their job - without any strings
attached," said Bush, who has threatened to veto the legislation if it
makes it to his desk with the restrictions being pushed by Democrats.
No votes have been taken on the latest Democratic proposals.
Bush's brief Colombian visit, the third stop on a five-nation Latin
American tour, took him past rioting protesters and thousands of
gun-toting police to a red-carpet welcome.
"Your country has come through very difficult times and now there's a
brighter day ahead," Bush said in a toast after he Uribe met and had
lunch at the presidential palace. "We have been friends and we will
remain friends."
Bush has indicated he will ask Congress to maintain current aid levels
to Colombia at roughly $700 million annually.
Bush's renewal of support came at a key moment.
Uribe is involved in a political scandal involving allies who allegedly
colluded with right-wing militias in a reign of terror that nearly
subverted Colombian democracy.
And Democrats who now control the U.S. Congress are asking tough
questions about whether U.S. aid to Colombia is effective. Colombia
receives more U.S. money than any country outside the Middle East and
Afghanistan - to the tune of nearly $4 billion in mostly military aid
since Uribe took office in 2002.
Colombia remains the source of more than 90 percent of the world's
cocaine despite record aerial fumigation of coca crops. And the leftist
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, has neither been
defeated nor had any members of its leadership captured.
Uribe is aware of the stakes. A rambling opening statement at his joint
appearance with Bush seemed designed to reassure foreign audiences.
"I would like you to know, Mr. President, that our commitment is the
full defeat of terrorists and the total recovery of justice and of
democratic institutions," Uribe said.
Bush said Uribe is working on the release of three Americans held by
rebels for more than four years in Colombia.
"I am concerned about their safety. I really am worried about their
families. These are three innocent folks who have been held hostage for
too long," Bush said. "Their kidnappers ought to show some heart."
About a mile away from the palace, some 2,000 protesters chanted "Down
with Bush" and burned American flags.
About 150 of them broke away, attacking riot police with rocks and metal
barriers and ripping down lampposts. Some 200 helmeted police in full
body armor responded with water cannons and tear gas to reclaim the street.
Extraordinary security had some 20,000 police and heavily armed troops
mobilized to prevent any rebel attack.
Sharpshooters were positioned on rooftops, the city center was shut down
to traffic and Bogotanos had to do without their beloved "ciclovia," in
which major avenues are given over on Sundays to biking, skating and
jogging.
Bush and Uribe also discussed a U.S.-Colombia free-trade agreement now
stalled in Congress.
After meeting with Uribe, Bush talked with Colombians who are benefiting
from various U.S programs.
Bush flew in to Colombia from Uruguay, and was heading to Guatemala
immediately after his meetings. He also is visiting Brazil and Mexico.