SYDNEY, Australia, Sept. 5, 2007
Bush Defends Surge; Gets Some Reassurance
Australian PM, Hosting Bush At APEC Summit, Says His Troops Will Stay In Iraq
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Play CBS Video Video Bush Sees Progress In Anbar
President Bush addressed troops in Iraq's Anbar province, where he says they have greatly helped reduce violence. He said if success continues, there may be troop drawdowns. Katie Couric reports.
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Video Couric Talks To Bush On Iraq
Only on the Web: President Bush tells Katie Couric that U.S. security is at stake in Iraq and that failure there would empower and embolden extremists.
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Video Bush Accentuates The Positive
Bob Schieffer talks to Russ Mitchell about how Bush is accentuating the positive in Iraq before Congress returns from recess calling for withdrawal.
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President Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard speak to reporters during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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President Bush, center, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, are greeted by an unidentified Australian official upon their arrival in Sydney, Australia, for the APEC summit, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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President Bush, left, greets troops at Al-Asad Airbase in Anbar province, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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President Bush speaking before assembled troops at Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province, Sept. 3, 2007. (CBS)
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President Bush shakes hands with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as President Jalal Talabani looks on, at Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province, Iraq, Sept. 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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Interactive Battle For Iraq The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.
Mr. Bush was expected to push for a new climate change deal more to his liking. But he resisted the idea that he is unconcerned about global warming because of his opposition to the Kyoto Protocol regulating greenhouse gas emissions.
"That's urban legend that is preposterous," the president said.
Polls show Howard, in office for 11 years, trailing opposition leader Kevin Rudd, who has promised to pull combat troops out of Iraq if he wins. Howard has refused to set a deadline.
Howard is the last leader among the major original "coalition of the willing" partners still serving. Among those who paid a political price for standing with Mr. Bush on the war are former Prime Ministers Tony Blair of Britain, Silvio Berlusconi of Italy and Jose Maria Aznar of Spain.
Mr. Bush has voiced strong support for Howard, saying during their news conference that "I wouldn't count the man out." Howard has been equally effusive about President Bush. Still, Mr. Bush meets Rudd on Thursday.
Before their news conference, Mr. Bush and Howard signed a defense cooperation treaty intended to reduce roadblocks hampering the exchange of defense goods and services. The treaty also will help defense-related industries in both countries share technology and assist U.S. and Australian forces to operate in concert.
At the APEC forum, Mr. Bush was hoping to advance his trade agenda, which includes restarting stalled global trade liberalization talks and seeking a longer-term Asia-Pacific free trade zone.
He also had a busy schedule of one-on-one meetings with Asia-Pacific leaders on the sidelines of the APEC forum. He'll sit down with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Indonesian President Bambang Yudhoyono.
But Mr. Bush planned to leave before the final weekend session of the APEC meetings to be back in Washington for the Iraq debate and the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Asked about a report that China's military had hacked into the Pentagon's computers, Mr. Bush largely steered away from the question, saying "We understand that we're vulnerable in some systems." China has said the allegations are "groundless."
Instead, Mr. Bush used the opportunity to offer a broad defense of the U.S-China relations ahead of his meeting with Hu, sessions that always feature a long list of difficulties and grievances. "We've got great relations with China, from a diplomatic perspective," Mr. Bush said.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Add a Comment See all 105 Comments
- "Progress is being made in Iraq,just give the new surge at least 12 more months" this will be the statement from the next American President 3 years from now.What a senseless slaughter of life,all in the name of cheap oil for greedy Americans who refuse to conserve and change their ways.When was the last time CNN,ABC or anyone else for that matter bothered to count the dead Iraqi civilians?
- Reply to this comment
- islam is a religion that welcomes everyone and trys to make the world better.If u''''re against smt. just read or search about it!Besides Hitler was a christion and israel is a jewish country-here is the result genocides,genocides..!!Just think and try to be more odjective..
Posted by trkshdlght at 08:27 AM : Sep 06, 2007
True Islam is non violent and welcomes everyone what about the radical and fundamentalist that harm themselves and other people because of their radical beliefs. What do you think about those people? - Reply to this comment
- drummer94,
Are we having a bad morning? trkshdlight didn''t say his religion was better or that America had a problem with their religion.
What they did say was that Hitler was a Christian(true) and that Israel has committed genocide(debatable and provocative but not entirely untrue).
There won''t ever be peace in the middle east until people can look at matters objectively and comprehansively and be willing to listen to other perspectives and viewpoints. Words don''t kill people, ignorance does. - Reply to this comment
- turkishdelight, you''re what, 15? Nobody, here in the States anyway, has a problem with any religion. It is one of the fundementals of our lives. "Freedom of religion". We don''t have a problem with anyones beliefs. Riddle me this: Why is yours better than mine?
- Reply to this comment
- islam is a religion that welcomes everyone and trys to make the world better.If u''re against smt. just read or search about it!Besides Hitler was a christion and israel is a jewish country-here is the result genocides,genocides..!!Just think and try to be more odjective..
- Reply to this comment
- islam is a religion that welcomes everyone and trys to make the world better.If u''re against smt. just read or search about it!Besides Hitler was a christion and israel is a jewish country-here is the result genocides,genocides..!!Just think and try to be more odjective..
- Reply to this comment
- islam is a religion that welcomes everyone and trys to make the world better.If u''re against smt. just read or search about it!Besides Hitler was a christion and israel is a jewish country-here is the result genocides,genocides..!!Just think and try to be more odjective..
- Reply to this comment
- Many thought the Great Depression was the end for America, but America came back roaring, the United States can always come back!
Posted by tbweb at 10:59 PM : Sep 05, 2007
-tbweb: thanks for reminding us. So true, and it''s a pride to belong to this Nation where pride, dignity to ourself, and to others have been and are cornerstones of our society. - Reply to this comment
- Posted by grazinggoat at 10:15 PM : Sep 05, 2007,,,
The United States is a powerful and great nation who has temporarily lost its way in Iraq. The U.S. needs to recover and get back to what it does best, lead by example and remain the Lighthouse on the Sea of a troubled world. We have our work cut out for us, there is much to be done, its time to rebuild our reputation and get strong again, we can do it, we did before, we can do it again! America may be down, but we''re not out, America always has the ability to come back! The 2008 Elections is a good place to start. Many thought the Great Depression was the end for America, but America came back roaring, the United States can always come back! - Reply to this comment
- because Americans knows it wrong.
Posted by tbweb at 04:31 AM : Sep 05, 2007
no... fascist nazi terrorislam is wrong...
Is islam a violation of international law???
islam practices slavery on non muslims
islam practices apartheid on non muslims
islam practices rape on non muslims
islam practices rape on babies and animals
islam practices genocide on non muslims
all are violations of international law and are crimes against humanity ...
Posted by lars008
-arsee008 has been victim of all those above-mentioned crimes. He was a baby when he was raped like an animal and he liked it. so he became this:
http://profielen1.****.nl/show.php?nick=lars008
we''re tired and sick of your stupid posting you azzzholer! - Reply to this comment
- Progress is good but it doesn''t spell success at any of the multiple missions spelled out by the administration over the past 4 years.
The real question isn''t whether the surge is working, whatever that means. The real question is when will the Iraqi central government, after 4 years of economic support and military training , be able to create their own security in Sunni and Shiite areas and create a political climate of reconciliation.
If the will was there for the necessary power sharing between the factions and progress in that regard was evident it would make sense to be hopeful for the future and to stay to give an ongoing process of political reconciliation a chance to play out.
The President says that there''s reconciliation going on but he doesn''t explain what and where. He needs to demonstrate that clearly if he wants to convince a sceptical country.
I would urge those who support the White House policy to urge him to show the country where this reconciliation is taking place.
We''ve had lulls in the violence before but without a political and diplomatic solution it always eventually returns to anarchy and will continue to do so until the political and diplomatic progress accompanies the military gains. - Reply to this comment
- Subject: Ronald Reagan in his recently published diaries, May 17, 1986.
Quote:
"A moment I''''ve been dreading. George [Bush] brought his ne''''re-do-well
son around this morning and asked me to find the kid a job. Not the
political one who lives in Florida. The one who hangs around here all
the time looking shiftless. This so-called kid is already almost 40
and has never had a real job. Maybe I''''ll call Kinsley over at The New
Republic and see if they''''ll hire him as a contributing editor or
something. That looks like easy work."-- Ronald Reagan in his recently
published diaries, May 17, 1986.
I thought some of you would enjoy this just got it on a e-mail I died laughing he hasn''''t changed one bit.
Posted by starleo146 at 08:20 PM : Sep 05, 2007 - Reply to this comment
Unfortunately the Australian leadership is in lock-step with ours. It is sad when a democracy cannot change its own fate.
Posted by j4401 at 05:10 PM : Sep 05, 2007
That is so sadly, however like George bush, the polls indicate that John Howards popularity is going through the floor, the opposition Labor party appears to have a lead of approx. 15% over the present government, with elections due in november.
His loss of popularity also appears to be for his association with Bush on Iraq, and his stance on Global warming, and again, as Bush, his refusal to sign the Kyoto agreement.
As administrators of this country for the past 10+ years, his government can not really be questioned, in my opinion.- Reply to this comment
- He still hasn''t defended his surge in New York City. Just avoids and covers it up.
- Reply to this comment
- "it''s working...
Couric: ''Real Progress'' In Iraq"
- Posted by lars008 at 03:27 PM : Sep 05, 2007
''Real Progress'' after almost 5 years ????
Try again, Katie.
Take a look at this graph, lars008, and then tell us all about that ''real progress''
http://icasualties.org/oif/US_chart.aspx - Reply to this comment
- BUSH WILL SIMPLY CONTINUE TO LIE
Our hope for the American ideals of freedom and liberty rest now with the Congress and all our citizens.
Bush will never admit to what is going on in Iraq nor why we are involved.
We must keep the pressure on this madman to get to the truth.
God Bless America - Reply to this comment
- 17 Senators need to vote with the Dems to change the course and stop the killing and drain on the Treasury Bush wants another 50 Billion.....
Posted by pepperp1 at 10:49 AM : Sep 05, 2007
This 50 billion was added to 145 billion to be appropriated and he wants it all on an emergency basis. I am so tired of his c*r*ap and lies I think everyone has his number. How many will believe the Generals report? - Reply to this comment
- Unfortunately the Australian leadership is in lock-step with ours. It is sad when a democracy cannot change its own fate.
The Real Reason We''re In Iraq:
An influential group of conservatives convinced President George W. Bush that it was in America''s best interests to conquer Iraq as a first step toward dominating the oil-producing nations in the Middle East. There was no "exit plan" because we never intended to exit. The plan was, and is, to build military bases in Iraq and stay there forever. Our leaders see Iraq as a place to make money. So Bush & Co. have set up their friends to cash in on the rebuilding of Iraq. - Reply to this comment
- Ya can''t blackmail us wit yer gas prices!
- Reply to this comment
- it''s working...
Couric: ''Real Progress'' In Iraq
Evening News Anchor Says Police Finally Making Inroads
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_247203227.html
Majority in poll say U.S. can win war in Iraq
The poll shows 54 percent of Americans said the war is not lost.
http://www.zogby.com/Soundbites/ReadClips.dbm?ID=15533
Latest poll shows growing support for Iraq war policy
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/08/latest-poll-sho.html
Analysis: Military Shows Gains in Iraq
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QRMCU00&show_article=1
Bush''s war support rising?
The latest poll by United Press International/Zogby Interactive showed that 54 percent think the war is not lost, with respondents splitting sharply along party lines on that question.
http://www.zogby.com/Soundbites/ReadClips.dbm?ID=15553
GAO: Baghdad Failing To Meet Most Goals
New Report On Iraq Finds Baghdad Hasn''t Met 11 Of Its 18 Political And Security Benchmarks
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/04/iraq/main3231705.shtml
Porter ties U.S. withdrawal from Iraq to $9 gasoline
http://www.lvrj.com/news/9466252.html - Reply to this comment
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
