US President George W. Bush vowed Wednesday not to negotiate with Congress on setting a timetable to withdraw troops from Iraq.
In a speech delivered to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Bush said the American people would blame lawmakers if there is any delay in approving money for the war effort due to legislative battle over such a timetable.
"Now, some of them believe that by delaying funding for our troops, they can force me to accept restrictions on our commanders that I believe would make withdrawal and defeat more likely," Bush said.
"That's not going to happen. If Congress fails to pass a bill to fund our troops on the front lines, the American people will know who to hold responsible," he said.
Shortly after the speech, Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic House speaker, said Bush should "calm down with the threats."
Democrats will hold Bush accountable for any delay in providing money for the troops, she said, arguing that he is the one who is holding it up by vetoing the two spending bills which also sets timetable to withdraw US troops from Iraq.
The House bill, passed a week ago, would require the president to bring most combat troops home by September 2008.
The bill being considered by the Senate, on the other hand, would set a non-binding goal of March 31, 2008 for withdrawal.
However, it is highly unlikely that the Democrats could get the two-thirds majority votes necessary in both houses of Congress to override his veto to these bills, which will be a certainty.
(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2007)
