• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

Bush expects Iraq security pact, no permanent bases

Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:04am EDT
MESEBERG, Germany, June 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush said on Wednesday he expects to seal a security pact with Iraq but added there were no plans for permanent U.S. bases there.

"I think we'll end up with a strategic agreement with Iraq," Bush said at a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

He called media reports that there were plans to build permanent U.S. bases in Iraq "erroneous", adding there was "all kinds of noise" about the issue in the United States and Iraq.

"We're in Iraq at the invitation of the sovereign government of Iraq," he said. "One of the lessons of Iraq is that for economic developoment there has to be a measure of security, which is happening now. This will not involve permanent bases nor will it bind any future president to troop levels."

(Reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Kerstin Gehmlich)





More from Reuters

Photo

Investors seen jumping the gun on airport security

BANGALORE (Reuters) - Investors' optimism surrounding the shares of airport security systems makers could be premature as interest in the companies' products after the Christmas Day plane scare is not expected to translate into immediate orders.

A hiring sign hangs in a window at PETCO in Falls Church, Virginia June 5, 2009.REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Dust off your resumes

Employers say they'll be adding headcount in the coming year. Here's where the jobs will be.  Full Article 

Tiger Woods blows on his putter on the 10th hole during final round play of the Tournament Players Championship golf tournament at the TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida May 13, 2007.

Tiger's $12 billion scandal?

Shareholders of Tiger Woods' sponsors discover that along with the upside, there are big downside risks, too, a study shows.  Full Article