San Diego Union Tribune May 26, 2006 Bush, Blair admit errors in Iraq war Both praise new government; no withdrawal timetable set By Finlay Lewis COPLEY NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON – President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair last night both admitted making mistakes in prosecuting the war in Iraq, but hailed last week's formation of a unity government in Baghdad as a crucial milestone toward a successful outcome to the conflict. In a prime-time East Room news conference, both also declined to set a timetable for withdrawing coalition troops from Iraq, despite the toll the war has taken on their popularity. Noting that Monday's Memorial Day ceremonies will likely confront him with painful encounters with grieving families, Bush declared: “Listen, I want our troops out. Don't get me wrong. I understand what it means to have troops in harm's way. And I know that there's a lot of families making huge sacrifices here in America.” But he reiterated his oft-stated determination to await the recommendations of U.S. troop commanders in Iraq before deciding on substantial manpower reductions. Both leaders – whose mutual affection was very much on display – repeatedly cited assurances offered by the new Iraqi prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, that his forces were steadily progressing in their ability to police the country. They also warned that an untimely withdrawal would hasten the spread of anti-Western terrorism across the Middle East and into other corners of the globe. “It's been really tough because we're fighting an unconventional enemy that is willing to kill innocent people. There are no rules of war for these people,” Bush said. “But make no mistake about it, what you're seeing in Iraq could happen all over the world if we don't stand fast and achieve the objective.” Blair flew to Washington after a visit to Iraq, where al-Maliki argued that his forces would be capable of taking on primary responsibility for security in all of Iraq's provinces by late next year. Bush was asked to elaborate on his earlier observation that the invasion and subsequent occupation had involved “setbacks and missteps.” Bush questioned the appropriateness of his anti-insurgent taunt of “Bring it on” and of his declaration that al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was “wanted, dead or alive.” He added, “That kind of talk, I think, in certain parts of the world ... was misinterpreted. And so I learned from that.” Attacks, mainly by insurgents and followers of bin Laden, have accounted for most of the 2,464 U.S. military fatalities in Iraq and of the 106 deaths of British military personnel. He said “the biggest mistake” in the U.S. war effort involved abuse of detainees at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison, saying, “We've been paying for that for a long period of time.” Meanwhile, Blair, echoing a complaint voiced by many critics of the war effort, suggested that the allied forces mishandled an early purge of Saddam Hussein's Sunni loyalists from the Iraqi government, army and security forces. Blair said he and Bush should have recognized that the fall of Hussein would not “be the rise of a democratic Iraq, that it was going to be a more difficult process” because “you're talking about literally building the institutions of a state from scratch.” Bush dismissed as press speculation reports that the current U.S. troop presence in Iraq of about 131,000 would be thinned to 100,000 by year's end. About 8,000 British troops are in the country as well. Aside from a question about the tenure of Treasury Secretary John Snow, foreign policy – and particularly Iraq – dominated the discussion. Bush defended Snow against reports that he will soon be forced from the administration, while acknowledging that rising fuel and health care costs may be blunting the politically beneficial effects of the economy's otherwise strong performance. Asked about an allied effort – including France and Germany – to persuade Iran to abandon a suspected nuclear-weapons program, the two leaders refused to be drawn into a discussion of possible inducements to restart negotiations with Tehran. “Of course we'll look at all options,” Bush said. “But it's their choice right now. They're the folks who walked away from the table.” With Republican incumbents fighting to retain their congressional majorities despite headwinds generated by the war and Bush's sagging approval ratings, Bush appeared determined not to bow to political expediency by heeding pleas from his allies to signal imminent troops withdrawals from Iraq. But he conceded that the war had caused “consternation” among voters that has left him politically weakened. “I mean, when you turn on your TV screens and see innocent people die day in and day out, it affects the mentality of our country,” Bush said.“The American people need to know we are making progress toward a goal of an Iraq that can defend itself, sustain itself and govern itself, that will deny the terrorists a safe haven.” With Blair's slump in British polls paralleling Bush's decline, last night's session could well prove the final joint appearance of the two leaders, who have been at each other's side since Bush took office in 2001. There is wide speculation in British political circles that Blair will step aside next year. Suggestions to that effect by British reporters prompted Bush to come to his colleague's defense. “I'll miss those red ties,” said Bush, adding, “Don't count him out. . . . My attitude is, I want him to be here so long as I'm the president.” George E. Condon Jr. contributed to this report. »Next Story»