Bush 'proud' to hold meeting with president of a free Iraq

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SAVANNAH, Ga. -- President Bush said yesterday was "a proud day for me" as he sat down with a free Iraq's new president, who expressed gratitude to the U.S.-led coalition that liberated his country from Saddam Hussein's dictatorship.

"This is a special day for me and those of us in my administration who are here, because I really never thought I'd be sitting next to an Iraqi president of a free country a year and a half ago, and here you are," said Mr. Bush just before his meeting with Iraqi President Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer

"Having listened to you, I have got great faith in the future of your country because you believe in the hopes and aspirations of the Iraqi people," Mr. Bush said. "It's a proud day for me, and I'm glad you're here."

The president's meeting with Mr. al-Yawer was a highlight of a day that came as the leaders of the Group of Eight economic powers endorsed Mr. Bush's plan to spread democracy throughout the Middle East and a day after the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved a plan to transfer sovereignty to a democratic Iraq.

Mr. Bush also urged the G-8 nations to support further NATO involvement in what is now an occupation of Iraq but after the June 30 turnover of power will be a peacekeeping force.

But French President Jacques Chirac, who was against the Iraq war, would not go along.

"We believe NATO ought to be involved," Mr. Bush said after a breakfast meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the United States' strongest ally in the war. "We will work with our NATO friends to at least continue the role that now exists and hopefully expand it somewhat."

Sixteen of the 26 NATO countries already are assisting the U.S. and British troops that spearheaded the war, but in an unofficial capacity.

Mr. Chirac said he is still "very much open to debate and discussion" of an expanded role for NATO in Iraqi peacekeeping, but only if "the sovereign Iraqi government were to ask for it."

"I do not believe it is NATO's purpose to intervene in Iraq," said Mr. Chirac, who this week joined German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in declaring that they would not supply troops to Iraq.