U.S. President Bush on Friday defended his Iraq policy from criticism within his own Republican Party, saying he would consult with others but take decisions based on the "latest intelligence."
The national security adviser during Bush's father's presidency said on Thursday an attack on Iraq could alienate U.S. allies.
"I listened carefully to what they have to say," Bush said. "There should be no doubt in anybody's mind that this man (Saddam) is thumbing his nose at the world, that he has gassed his own people, that he is trouble in his neighborhood, that he desires weapons of mass destruction."
"I will use all the latest intelligence to make informed decisions about how best to keep the world at peace, how best to defend freedom for the long run," said Bush, who planned to meet at his Crawford, Texas ranch over the weekend with his National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice. Next Wednesday, he will meet with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
"We'll continue to consult," he said. "Listen, it's a healthy debate for people to express their opinion. "But America needs to know, I'll be making up my mind based upon the latest intelligence, and how best to protect our own country plus our friends and allies," Bush added. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
