Bush Talks Iraq, Hurricane Dean At Summit

U.S. President George W. Bush acknowledged frustration with the troubled government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Tuesday but said it is up to the Iraqi people to decide whether to continue supporting him.

Stopping short of offering an endorsement, Bush said it was not up to give a verdict on al-Malalki's government.

"The fundamental question is will the government respond to the demands of the people," the president said. "And if the government ... doesn't respond to the demands of the people, they will replace the government. That's up to the Iraqis to make that decision, not American politicians."

Bush was asked about the situation in Iraq at a news conference where he joined Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderon in wrapping up a North American summit.

A day earlier, Sen. Carl Levin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged the Iraqi assembly to oust U.S.-backed al-Maliki and replace his government with one that is less sectarian and more unifying.

"The Iraqis will decide," Bush said. "They have decided they want a constitution. They have elected members to their parliament and they will make the decisions just like democracies do."

Bush also offered U.S. assistance and expressed his concern for the citizens of Mexico and elsewhere whose lives were affected by Hurricane Dean at the summit on Tuesday.

"We stand ready to help," said Bush, standing alongside Calderon and Harper. "The American people care a lot about the human condition in our neighborhood and when we see human suffering we want to do what we can."

Security and trade issues dominated talks among the North American leaders who met at a posh chateau along the Ottawa River. The three leaders began talks Tuesday with a council of corporate executives, who are pushing for broader coordination across North America, from regulatory standards to emergency planning.

Overshadowing the two-day event was the menacing Hurricane Dean. The summit schedule was rearranged to accommodate Calderon, who was to head home early to deal with the aftermath of Dean.

Among the issues getting heavy attention here, Bush and his counterparts want to make their borders safer without impeding trade and tourism.

"We agreed that border security measures, critical as they are, cannot threaten the bonds of friendship or commerce between us," Harper said.

There are plenty of neighborhood disputes, however, ranging on issues as varied as Arctic waterways and passport policies to the war in Afghanistan. But the summit ended on an even keel with few announcements.

In a joint statement, the leaders agreed to:

Develop common protocols through the Canada-Mexico-United States Emergency Management Council to manage the movement of goods and people, including emergency responders, across borders during a natural or man-made emergency, such as a terrorist attack or outbreak of avian flu.

Advance multilateral trade liberalization through a successful conclusion to the World Trade Organization Doha Round of negotiations.

Strengthen cooperation on identifying and stopping unsafe food and products before they enter the three countries.

Look for ways to cooperate on national auto fuel efficiency standards and work together on developing clean energy technologies and resolving global warming.

Streamline regulations and make them compatible to enhance the flow of trade on the continent and eliminate redundant testing and certification requirements.

Better measure the scope of and improve the detection and deterrence of counterfeiting and piracy in North America. Expand public awareness of the importance of intellectual property rights in protecting North American economies and consumer health.

Develop a plan to respond to increasing pressures on the U.S., Mexican and Canada competitiveness in the global markets.

The United States is to host the North America summit in 2008.