BRUSSELS, Belgium -President Bush said yesterday that it is simply ridiculous to assume that the United States has plans to attack Iran over its alleged nuclear weapons program.
This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that
all options are on the table Bush said after discussing the issue with European allies.
Bush used his bluntest language yet to give assurance to Iran's leaders. Last week, in a series of pre-trip interviews with European journalists, he also tried to dispel talk of a military attack, an issue that has been raised repeatedly since the United States went to war with Iraq primarily over its alleged weapons of mass destruction. No such weapons have been found in Iraq.
On Iran, Bush has walked a careful line in expressing support for a European-led approach offering Iran technological, financial and political support in return for scrapping its uranium enrichment program.
It's in our interests for them not to have a nuclear weapon Bush said in a news conference with European Union leaders.
The United States has refused to get involved in the bargaining with Tehran or to make commitments about incentives, insisting that Tehran abandon its program.
Also yesterday, Bush hailed NATO's modest pledge to help train security forces in Iraq, saying every contribution helps.
The NATO training mission is an important mission because after all
the success of Iraq depends upon the capacity and the willingness of the Iraqis to defend their own selves against terrorists
he said during an earlier news conference at NATO headquarters.
Bush also made clear his intention to challenge Russian President Vladimir Putin on recent actions, including restrictions on the press and Moscow's treatment of neighboring Baltic countries, that U.S. officials view as harmful to democracy there. The two leaders meet Thursday in Slovakia.
A constructive relationship allows me to remind him that I believe Russia is a European country
and European countries embrace those very same values that America embraces
Bush said. I'm confident that can be done in a cordial way.
Putin defended his approach.
Russia chose democracy 14 years ago not to please anyone but for its own sake
for the sake of the nation and its citizens
Putin said. Naturally
basic principles and institutions of democracy must be adapted to today's realities of Russian life
to our traditions and history.
Bush also reiterated U.S. opposition to Europe's plans to lift its 15-year arms embargo against China.
There is deep concern in our country that a transfer of weapons will be a transfer of technology
