US President George W. Bush touted progress in Iraq and
Afghanistan Thursday morning, while summing up his job in 2007 at a
year-end press conference at the White House.
"There is a functioning government," Bush said, referring to the
Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, which comes
under considerable criticism from various sides.
But he said he is not happy with the political progress in
Iraq.
"Are we satisfied with the progress in Baghdad? No. But, to say
nothing is happening is not the case," Bush said.
On Afghanistan, he said it "is a society that is evolving," and
there is demonstrable progress there.
"Also, what's important is the human condition, and I believe
we're making progress on both fronts," he said.
The president suggested that people were feeling better about
their lives both in Iraq and Afghanistan.
When asked about Lebanon's continuing political struggles and
about whether he should speak directly to Syrian President Bashar
Al-Assad, Bush said, "My patience ran out on President Assad a long
time ago."
"If he's listening, he doesn't need a phone call. He knows
exactly what our position is," he said.
On domestic issues, reporters pressed Bush on Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA) destruction of videotapes showing harsh
interrogations of terror suspects.
"I'm just going to prepare you -- until the inquiries are
complete, until the oversight is finished, I will be offering no
opinion from the podium," he said, repeating his position to keep
mum on details of the issue.
Bush also thanked the Congress for its work, including the
approval of an energy bill and a modification of the alternative
minimum tax.
Passage of the energy bill "demonstrates America's leadership"
in dealing with climate change, he said.
However, the president said he is disappointed that Congress
used an omnibus bill rather approving a series of appropriations
bills.
Bush said Congress' first goal should be to pass a new
intelligence bill.
He also refused to comment on the upcoming presidential
elections in 2008.
"I suspect my name may come up a lot," Bush said, again
promising to not comment on the elections until after the primaries
are finished.
"What the American people need to do is sort through the
rhetoric and the reality."
Asked for his response to Russian President Vladimir Putin being
named Time magazine's Man of the Year, Bush said there are
"reasons to be concerned" about Russia's direction on a number of
fronts.
(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2007)
