Bush tells Iraq leader US will back him

Bush tells Iraq leader US will back him
(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-14 08:38

US President George W. Bush (R) greets military personnel and embassy employees at the US Embassy after he arrived in Baghdad for a surprise visit to the city June 13, 2006. [Reuters]

The Iraqi prime minister had come to the embassy expecting to participate in a satellite video conference with Bush and aides from the presidential mountain retreat in Maryland.

Instead, Bush sat beside him. The video conference went on as scheduled with the US officials still at Camp David.

"I've come to not only look you in the eye. I've also come to tell you that when America gives its word, it keeps its word - that it's in our interest that Iraq succeed," Bush told al-Maliki.

Bush didn't say whether he and the prime minister had discussed the timing or scope of a possible US military withdrawal. There are now about 130,000 US troops in the country and Bush faces increasing pressure at home to begin bringing many of them home.

Al-Maliki, speaking in Arabic, thanked Bush for US protection, but expressed a general hope for the day when American troops would be gone.

"God willing, all of the suffering will be over, and all of the soldiers will be able to return to their countries with our gratitude for what they have offered," al-Maliki said.

Before leaving Baghdad, Bush addressed a group of about 300 cheering US troops assigned in supporting roles to the US Embassy. He thanked them for their work and said a top US priority was now to support the new government.

"Our job is to help them succeed and we will," Bush said.

Several US lawmakers briefed on Bush's trip predicted that a phased withdrawal of US troops might be accelerated following the presidential visit.

This time, Bush flew by helicopter from Baghdad International Airport to and from the Green Zone, where Iraq's government meets and the US and British embassies are based.

Bush also met with other Iraqi leaders before leaving the country.

Later, speaking with reporters for about 35 minutes on Air Force One, Bush said one of the Iraqi cabinet ministers asked him about the US military's conduct in terms of human rights of Iraqis.

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